The expansion of the Eldridge Hotel into a neighboring vacant lot would be a nice improvement for downtown Lawrence.

The owners of the historic hotel have filed plans to build a six-story, 38-room addition just south of the existing structure. That would nearly double the hotel’s capacity and be an attractive alternative to the unsightly vacant lot. The project also would expand the hotel’s kitchen and restaurant and provide new meeting rooms and reception facilities, all of which are likely to draw more visitors to downtown.

The project is a positive sign for the city’s economic health. The Eldridge owners had proposed a similar expansion in 2010 but delayed the plans because of the national economic downturn. The fact that they are seeking to move forward on the project now shows they have confidence in their ability to attract enough overnight guests and other business to make the venture profitable.

The hotel reportedly already is receiving bookings for teams coming to Lawrence for upcoming events at Rock Chalk Park on the west edge of the city. That’s good news for a couple of reasons. Not only does it indicate that the new athletic facilities are attracting business, it also means that people who are competing in or attending those events are interested in staying downtown, where they are likely to support restaurants, retail stores and other local businesses.

It wasn’t clear last week whether the Eldridge would seek tax increment financing or other incentives from the city to help offset the costs of the expansion. Assuming that whatever incentives the owners request are in line with what other downtown redevelopment projects have received, they probably are a good investment for the city.

Lawrence is fortunate to have a vital downtown that is attractive not only to visitors but to business people who are willing to invest in new projects.