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City officials did the right thing Wednesday in approving the massive WoodbineLive! retail and entertainment complex for an area of the city in need of an economic shot in the arm.

Some critics on council and in the community raised some compelling points in speaking before the vote this week, particularly as they relate to $120 million in tax deferrals being offered to the development firm behind the proposal, along with the issue of job guarantees.

But the plan, even with the generous tax deferral concessions, has the potential to transform the surrounding Rexdale community. We agree with Mayor David Miller in his assessment of the plan as approved this week: it won't solve all of the community's problems, but it will provide some positive benefit and create local opportunities for residents.

A resident-led group called CORD (Community Organizing for Responsible Development) came to city hall in opposition to the plan as proposed and seeking guarantees on jobs, and took issue with the full-time equivalent positions. That's certainly fair for a community that continues to struggle with under-employment and poverty.

But it's simply not possible for the developer, or the city, or other levels of government to predict the future as it relates to local, regional and national ecnomonies if events of the past month are any indication.

To address that issue, as part of the deal Rexdale residents will be able to take advantage of a job creation program and access to the jobs the development brings to the community.

We strongly encourage CORD to continue its dialogue with the city, the development proponent and the local community to keep them informed, to keep the issue active in Rexdale and to ensure that their voices are heard.

That will go a long way to ensuring that promises made are promises kept by all of the parties involved.

The truth is that this development provides a great deal more hope for the community than the status quo. What is now an asphalt no-man's land has the potential to become an entertainment destination for the entire Greater Toronto Area. And as the area grows, so too will the prosperity and the demand for associated developments�­- and more jobs- in the community.

This specific plan may not guarantee a brighter future for everyone, but it is far better than the benefit the land provides Rexdale residents today.