Sometimes things go wrong, but many times they go right, even when complications threaten to unravel plans.

Lansford borough weaved its way through a maze of red tape and potential roadblocks over the past five years in administering a $265,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.The money was intended for renovations to the Lansford American Fire Company No. 1 building and borough offices, once located on the fire company building's second floor.But renovation costs were just too steep.So plans changed. The old firehouse was razed, and a useful, modern pole building was erected.Borough hall moved out and set up headquarters one street over at the Lansford Community Center, 1 W. Ridge St.That well-known structure occupies a central location, a large place where many residents can walk to and even gather.But the historic building had an obstacle a series of concrete steps that made it impossible to gain access for those in wheelchairs, and a struggle for others with disabilities and conditions such as heart ailments and asthma.An ADA-compliant ramp was needed, but estimates came in at $50,000 more than what Lansford Borough had set aside.To complicate matters, construction of a ramp would require permission from an adjacent parcel owner, the Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority.Still, there had to be a way to do it, and Rose Mary Cannon, council member, was persistent."It's a very needed and worthwhile project," she said.And everyone else seemed to agree.The water authority offered its cooperation, and the Carbon County Commissioners stepped forward with funding help, recognizing the interest of public safety.And when construction threatened temporary access to town hall, a neighbor stepped forward.Lansford Tax Collector Dan Wynn agreed to allow a walkway through his office, located on the west side of the building.The completed ramp, unveiled Thursday, is a monument to cooperation."This was a chance for us to help build Lansford up when so many people are ready to tear it down," said Commissioner William O'Gurek.Fellow Commissioners Wayne Nothstein and Tom Gerhard agreed, promising continued cooperation.The winners are many: the borough, the tax collector, the commissioners, water authority, fire company and, perhaps most importantly, the residents of Lansford and everybody who enters borough hall.There were plenty of obstacles. But in the end, everything turned out right.All parties played an important role. Each helped to prove that a ramp is more than a slab of concrete.A ramp can show that many folks are interested in building things up.A ramp is a pathway to progress.By DONALD R. SERFASSdserfass@tnonline.com