Although common sense tells us they will, we’d like to take this opportunity to urge the Marquette City Commission to take it slow and easy in determining what might be done with the old, long-abandoned ore dock in the city’s Lower Harbor.

That’s because a recent study found the structure, built in the early 1930s and used until the early 1970s, is in good condition.

Good for what, however, is another matter.

The dock was constructed from 1931-32 for the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad at a cost of $1.32 million.

Nearly 24 million tons of ore left Marquette through the Lower Harbor between the dock’s first day of service, June 3, 1932, and its closure in 1971.

The 970-foot dock is about 66 feet wide, constructed mostly of steel and concrete and towers about 86 feet above the water.

A consulting firm presented the city with several options it could take. The city could do nothing and keep the dock closed to the public and develop a safety plan for limited access to prevent injuries.

Opening the dock to public access was another option, but that would require additional safety upgrades.

Improving the walkway from the shore to the dock, installing railings and lighting and any repairs to damaged concrete should also be considered, in addition to some, unknown commercial use.

Any way you look at it, the ore dock has the potential to turn into the proverbial money pit. If the city checked its own records, it would see this isn’t the first time the question, “What should be done with the old ore dock?” has been asked.

On those previous occasions, it was principally a matter of money, very much like it probably will be on this occasion, too.