For the past few years, the chamber and city officials have invested heavily in the growth of tourism in Covington, using the downtown square as a centerpiece of that investment.

As tourism has grown, the obvious lack of restroom facilities for our guests has become quite a problem.

The majority of the Covington City Council this past week voted to purchase a 1,200-square- foot building from the Benton family for $88,000, using funds set aside from the city’s hotel and motel tax receipts. The building will be revitalized and adapted, again using monies set aside from the same tax fund, for use as public restrooms.

This is a smart decision by the council. It is long overdue.

We commend our city leaders for taking this step.