A gateway to Chautauqua County appears to be motoring closer to reality. The project, centered near the New York-Pennsylvania state line off the state Thruway, would replace the eyesore of the former Colonial Squire Motel.

This concept for the “gateway” has been around since the administration of former County Executive Mark Thomas in the early 2000s. There was hope then, but today it seems we are closer to some results.

Most recently, current state Sen. George Borrello saw this issue — which sat on a shelf for more than a decade — through. Now, the county Industrial Development Agency is nearing a finish line.

“This is a tremendous and exciting opportunity for Chautauqua County,” said chairman Mike Metzger, noting that it’s going on land that hasn’t been utilized in several years.

Motorists welcome mat into New York state from Pennsylvania is depressing. There’s little signage — and nothing that showcases what our county is about. This project could change that.