The last time we checked, the city of Des Moines was waiting to see how some nearby housing projects turned out before deciding how to develop the vacant land on Court Avenue just southeast of the Polk County Courthouse.

We would encourage city officials to move back into development mode now. It’s clear that downtown apartments are working out just fine.

Relatively few buyers have come along for relatively high-priced condominium units downtown, whether in old, rehabbed buildings or brand-new ones. But rentals are strong, and more projects are coming together, just a stone’s throw from the empty space once owned by the Coppola family.

Economic concerns linger, but the push to get downtown residents has retained its momentum.

A few years ago, the city asked for proposals to develop the parcel bounded by Court Avenue on the north, Fifth Avenue on the west and Fourth Street on the east. The old Rock Island Railroad depot, owned by Connie Wimer and occupied by this publication’s company, Business Publications LLC, forms the south boundary.

Ideas came in involving residential and retail. Hotel ideas were batted around. The city took the unusual step of asking two developers to work together on a concept, rather than compete as they’re used to doing. But nothing was decided, and next came the wait-and-see tactic.

Caution is not a bad thing when tax money is involved, but there comes a time when you have to take a leap or miss the boat.

Court Avenue can use more nightspots, as the neighborhood takes on the feel of a college campus. Young singles who work and live downtown will provide plenty of bar, restaurant and entertainment customers. And we seem to have passed the tipping point; there are enough people here to reassure others that it’s a good place to be.

So we hope the city will seek out a fresh batch of ideas soon before a strengthening economy starts driving building costs upward again.