Last week’s big Green Line Extension meeting at the Arts at the Armory packed the house and clearly demonstrated that residents here are heavily invested in the future outcome of the MBTA’s efforts to keep the project alive, in whatever form it may ultimately take.

Judging by the efforts of those making the presentation, serious efforts are being made to preserve the project and make sure it goes onward to completion.

The crux of the matter, of course, is the budgeting issue that came to light in the last year or so and threatened to potentially stop the project dead in its tracks.

Many modifications to the original plan were mentioned at the meeting, notably the scaling back of GLX stations, the community path that would run alongside the railway, as well as a streamlined maintenance facility – all in an effort to get the budget to a workable level, thus ensuring the completion of the project.

It is likely that most residents can live with lower expectations as far as certain amenities are concerned. Smaller, less luxurious GLX stations are a small price to pay for making sure the trains will indeed roll. After all, the ride is the thing.

Of course, we all hope that the leaner designs won’t go too far in sacrificing comfort and convenience for GLX users. Perhaps some flexibility for future enhancement of the stations should be worked into the present plans. This seems like a reasonable idea, don’t you think?