We welcome the announcement by SSM Health that it has no immediate plans to demolish its former hospital.
Our readers are well aware that a new, state-of the art St. Mary's Hospital opened in November on Mission Drive near Missouri 179.
The move abandoned the former complex -including a hospital, medical office building and parking - located on a hilltop overlooking the downtown area.
In a story in Monday's News Tribune, hospital spokesman Becki Collier said: "Our goal is to find a buyer that will repurpose the site for the betterment of the community."
Although no deals have been struck, interest has been shown in acquiring all or part of the complex.
Last year, SSM had agreed to donate the buildings to the state of Missouri and plans called for Lincoln University and State Technical College in Linn to house new and existing programs in the facility. The agreement disappeared when Gov. Jay Nixon's budget vetoes included funding to renovate the facility.
More recently, Cole County officials have been discussing acquiring the medical office building for administrative offices and its health department.
In addition to those government expressions of interest, SSM Health continues to market the complex.
At some future time, if interest expires and the site becomes blighted, demolition may need to be considered.
But we're not there yet.
"Adaptive reuse" is the term applied to converting a building or site for new uses. A local example is the transformation of the former Hotel Governor's downtown into the Governor Office Building.
Adaptive reuse often requires time, imagination and, of course, money.
We support and commend the decision by SSM Health to delay demolition and provide time - the first necessity for adaptive reuse.