Some might find humor in the city of Ketchum's extended deliberations on where and what sort of public restrooms to build and at what costs.
But the reality is that downtown Ketchum, which is far from pedestrian-friendly, needs public facilities badly to help revive the ailing retail center by creating genuine customer satisfaction and overcoming oblique impressions that the city doesn't care.
The council has taken a big step toward approving two such comfort stations -- one at Atkinson Park and another probably to be located near Giacobbi Square.
Costs are in the neighborhood of $170,000, less a $15,000 pledge from an Atkinson Park neighbor to help with costs.
While there's some question of the need for a new facility at the park versus the greater needs elsewhere in the business district, the important commitment has been made to finally do something.
Along with the restrooms, the city must also produce signage in the retail district to indicate locations of the facilities and not leave visitors in a quandary.
If Ketchum wants to avoid the fate of other Western towns that have lost their appeal to pedestrian shoppers and in turn have lost so much of their retail character, providing every conceivable amenity to make a Ketchum visit enjoyable should be at the top of the City Council's agenda.
Public restrooms convey a strong "We Care" message that visitors surely will remember and repeat with big returns for the city's investment.
