The Raleigh City Council met yesterday to discuss the dynamic plans of the Hillsborough Street revitalization process. The council decided it would not approve the original plans for the street at yesterday’s meeting, so instead, it appointed Mitchell Silver, the city planner, to help focus the plan.

Nearly half the council determined the original plans didn’t focus enough on economics – how to increase business on the street.

The council made the right decision to put more emphasis on improving the business aspect of Hillsborough, but the fact remains: something must be done sooner than later.

The plan calls for two roundabouts on the section of Hillsborough Street that parallels campus. We support this aspect of the plan, as the roundabouts will encourage slower traffic and, thus, a safer environment for students.

The plan also addresses a parking deck, which will be essential from an economic standpoint – there has to be somewhere for visitors and students who live off campus to park.

Aesthetics (foliage and underground power lines) are another major facet of the street and should be a focus in the plan.

Although expensive, the council should consider tunnels between Hillsborough Street and both D.H. Hill Library and the CHASS buildings – the streets will already be torn up in the roundabout process, so why not examine the possibility?

We already have two tunnels on campus, which are invaluable.

Students would not only get to the business side of Hillsborough Street faster, but much safer.

It appears the council is taking the right steps to a better gateway to N.C. State, but we can’t emphasize enough that a plan should be slated for the summer and should be well underway by the fall.

We understand the council is focused on improving the economics aspect of the street, but it must remember safety is the biggest priority, and in turn, a safer street will yield more business for its vendors.

The last thing that needs to happen is a bureaucratic, multimonth-long discussion on minor details of the street when everyone agrees an improvement is in order.

The sooner something is done, the sooner Hillsborough Street and its businesses will come back to life.