Tacoma may set an example for the region if it decides to go ahead with redevelopment of a historical building into a for-profit hotel rather than low-income housing.

The city council is set to decide on Tuesday if a private developer can proceed with plans to turn the 80-year-old Winthrop Hotel building into a new four-star hotel. The project would anchor other development in the north end of downtown, much like several museum projects did in the south end.

Of course, more affordable housing is needed throughout Cascadia. But the best way to get it is by increasing overall supply, not by sacrificing historical opportunities.

In Tacoma, the Winthrop was transformed into low-income housing as an urban renewal project in the 1960s but that obviously didn’t solve the housing crunch. If it’s returned to its previous stature, creating more pedestrian traffic and all-hours business activity, other residential development is sure to follow.