A portion of the Coburn Block building on Central Avenue in Dunkirk came crashing down on Sept. 30. Today, 18 days later, nothing seems to have happened. A mess remains.

Why the delay? How come the city, which has so little construction activity happening at the present time, cannot make a demolition happen sooner? Is it just because – of all the ridiculous things – cat droppings?

This is the second time in five years traffic has been detoured off Central Avenue. In 2010, it was due to the Masonic Temple fire. That also took an inordinate amount of time before anyone was allowed access to the block between Third and Fourth streets.

Granted, it is not all the city of Dunkirk’s fault. Chautauqua County Rural Ministry also has a role in the delay of clearing the area sooner.

But what if this was costing the city, county or school tax money? Would the process speed up? We believe it would.

Whenever government needs or wants something done, they have a way of making it happen. In this case, however, there seems to be a lack of any urgency. Probably because there is no big spending going on by any entity.

Businesses, however, around the site have seen a bit of a slowdown. It is an obvious result when you shut down a portion of a main road. Less traffic, fewer customers.

Demolition of the damaged portion of the building is to happen this week. Let’s hope so. Too many have been a part of an unnecessary waiting game.