Sometimes good ideas get lost or postponed indefinitely because those who would be in charge of shepherding them through the various stages of preparation and/or development get sidetracked or distracted by other important or, perhaps, not-so-important, considerations or efforts emerging or already evolving.

That’s especially true if, among those other matters, one or more become more time-consuming, complex or generally difficult because of things — such as revisions or new elements — not anticipated previously.

Good leadership has the ability to be ready to deal with setbacks or sudden delays early on and adjust manpower and other resources on virtually a moment’s notice to ensure that what is being pursued isn’t stymied or scuttled.

Developers, especially, are well-versed about the fact that one glitch can become the seed for others. That’s why many, if not most, have, strive for, or know where to look for, the expertise to overcome as quickly as possible whatever issue or problem that emerges.

Virtually nothing is impossible if the will and drive to make it happen exists. And, it is all-of-the-above that needs to be “built in” to ensure that restoration of the former Gable’s building materializes in the way that’s currently being envisioned.

Judging from the way things are falling into place, there is reason for optimism that a restored Gable’s structure consistent with the downtown Altoona renaissance that has been in progress for years will be forthcoming in a not-too-distant time frame.

Important decisions remain to be made and more will be necessary as the “trip down ‘Redevelopment Highway’ proceeds but, whatever, there should be adequate room for flexibility.

Besides the Gable’s building itself, another important focus of study and options selection will be the adjacent, now-closed parking garage.

Will the current condition of the parking garage enable renovation and/or reconstruction? Of course, the other option is demolition.

Regardless, a parking garage at the site seems necessary if the Gable’s property is to achieve its full potential.

But again, an appropriate description or headline for that which is underway should be “Big-Time Optimism,” and people of Altoona have cause to place full trust in the Altoona Blair County Development Corp.’s already demonstrated ability to get things done — correctly.

ABCD is committed to finding the “highest and best use” for the Gable’s property, which it acquired recently, and, based on already announced basic plans, confidence should prevail that that objective will be realized for what is the largest anchor building in the downtown.

An April 28 Mirror article quoted Steve McKnight, ABCD CEO, who indicated that ABCD plans to secure the building once it is empty, then commission an engineering study to determine what the building is capable of supporting.

Additionally, the study will focus on the project’s economic potential.

From the standpoint of the City of Altoona, a vibrant property will enhance the local tax coffers and bring people downtown, hopefully, to patronize other downtown entities.

It’s also important and uplifting to note that ABCD plans to create a stakeholders group composed of city and ABCD officials, including officials of the Altoona Redevelopment Authority, to provide guidance for the effort.

“Gable’s building plans outlined” was the headline over the April 28 Mirror article. There was a lot to be energized about, based on the information contained in the writing that followed.