The Marquette City Commission has set its goals and strategic priorities for the city, and it includes some major projects.

Municipalities come up with priority lists, but what Marquette is facing in the upcoming months is daunting, to say the least.

For instance, the moving of UP Health System – Marquette from its current site to the planned location near the current location of the Municipal Service Center will involve an immense amount of planning. What will happen to the old hospital? Where will the new city service center be located?

Then there are the after effects of the very cold winter of 2013-14, with the current season presenting the very real possibility there will be more such damage to roads and infrastructure. How will the city come up with the funds to remedy the damage?

Speaking of infrastructure, part of Lakeshore Boulevard has been closed recently because of structural safety concerns. On the same note, the city recently completed plans for the Lakeshore Boulevard Relocation and Shoreline Restoration project.

The city’s list of priorities is long, and City Manager Bill Vajda mentioned at Monday’s commission meeting that organizations could possibly pick up responsibilities for their respective interests, including a regional truck transportation route, the Next Michigan Zone or the Satellite SmartZone.

That’s not shirking responsibility on the part of the city, but delegating duties that might be better handled by groups more closely related to an issue.

Another thing to consider is that issues and challenges evolve, with the scenario turning into the proverbial situation of shooting at a moving target. That’s why periodically updating priorities is necessary.

There’s a lot on Marquette’s plate now, and establishing goals and priorities is an efficient way for the city to focus and manage its time more effectively.

What the priorities should be might be open for discussion, but at least the discussion has started.