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The reported development planned at the site of a former Lowe’s store on Godwin Boulevard will be a good one for the city.

The News-Herald reported in the Sept. 12 edition that the nine-acre site at 3061 Godwin Blvd. will be developed by The Gallery at Godwin LLC to become what will likely look like a smaller version of the Bridgeport development off Bridge Road in North Suffolk, with a retail and commercial component on the ground floor as well as residential rental units above.

This is a good resolution to a site with a long history and much potential.

As the property sat vacant for about two decades — gathering code violations, being an eyesore for visitors and residents, and producing relatively little in the way of property taxes and nothing in other forms of revenue for the city — it’s probably safe to say that all parties are happy to see a project finally moving forward on that site.

The proposed development will support construction jobs and bring in other employment in the long-term, provide living space, bring in more revenue for the city and be a more attractive location than the empty Lowe’s building or barren lot ever was.

The Bridgeport development in North Suffolk, to which Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes recently compared the Godwin project, has attracted some fine retail and dining establishments. While many have offered the criticism that Bridgeport looks out of place directly across from a country market and in an area that was rural not that long ago, a similar, smaller development will play better in the Godwin Boulevard corridor.

With many other recent and ongoing improvements along Godwin, this lot was perhaps the one last missing piece that was up in the air until the recent purchase.

We look forward to seeing what sort of new life the developers will bring to the former Lowe’s site.