Plans to expand Deciphera Pharmaceuticals facilities in downtown Lawrence indicate a commitment to the city that should please local business officials.

On Monday, the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission will consider a special use permit that will allow Deciphera to expand laboratory space it is leasing at 645-647 Mass. Downtown doesn’t seem like a natural location for the company, but its president and CEO Dan Flynn said Friday that he likes the location and thinks it eventually could accommodate 75 to 80 Deciphera employees.

The best aspect of this plan is the indication that this promising company is putting down some long-term roots in Lawrence. It also appears Deciphera and the building’s owner, the Fritzel family, will be putting their own money into the project rather than asking for fiscal support from the city or county. The downtown location apparently serves Deciphera’s purposes for now, but the city will be more than happy to help the company find additional space in a local industrial development to fill its future needs.

Deciphera already has had a number of successes in the pharmaceuticals field and has some promising ventures under development. Their plans to remain and grow in Lawrence is, indeed, good news for the city.