Suffolk’s effort to attract the regional office of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources is a worthwhile one and would boost already-laudable preservation efforts.

What the city and private groups and individuals have accomplished in just a few short years has been remarkable for a city of our size. On virtually every block in the downtown area, homes and buildings are being restored to their former glory and the effort seems to just keep picking up steam.

Location of the historic resources office would make expertise and resources just that much more accessible. And as Elizabeth McCoury, downtown development director, pointed out in a News-Herald story Thursday, the tax breaks will be central to further preservation efforts and the staffers at the Department of Historic Resources know all the ins and outs of securing them.

The city proposed to house the office in the Prentis House and one can think of few places more appropriate.

Unfortunately, rumors are circulating that Newport News has submitted a proposal to the department that is too good to pass up. That’s a shame, but even if this one gets away, all those involved in Suffolk preservation efforts are deserving of applause and gratitude.