It's come a long way from its inception as a women's business college in the 1930s. With 3,400 students, nine academic departments and several master's degree programs, Point Park University is hitting its stride not only as an institution of higher learning but also as an increasingly bigger player in the future of Downtown.

For proof of the latter, just take a walk near Wood Street and the Boulevard of the Allies, its campus nerve center. Few people realize that 600 Point Park students live Downtown (another 130 are housed at Chatham College in Shadyside). And more are coming.

Other numbers tell an impressive tale. When President Katherine Henderson, who is now on sabbatical, arrived nine years ago, the school had 29 percent fewer students. It had an operating budget of $24 million, compared to today's $60 million.

Recent news that the private, liberal-arts university has closed on a deal to buy a large parcel of property nearby is not only more evidence of the school's robust health but also support for Downtown's upturn. Point Park purchased five properties, most of it now surface parking, between Fourth and Forbes avenues for $2.5 million. The building that will go up there will be used for classrooms, housing or athletics. Whatever is built in that key block below Smithfield Street could be connected to Point Park's University Center on Wood.

Prior to this latest land deal, Point Park has been constructing new dance and performance studios along the boulevard and has been preparing two existing buildings on Wood Street for use as dorms for another 160 students. With Downtown recasting itself as a place for more people to live, the university's expansion stands to inject youth and energy into this growing residential cohort.

At the same time, Point Park must, of course, provide greater security for its student residents in the Golden Triangle. Last week, Paul Hennigan, the school's acting president, said the university will add up to seven security guards to maintain round-the-clock coverage in the residence halls plus daytime and evening foot patrols. While any college also relies to an extent on municipal police, the heightened presence of Point Park's campus officers will bring an added measure of safety for anyone, student or not, in that corner of Downtown.

Point Park deserves Pittsburgh's support for continued success as a growing university. Perhaps now more than ever, the city and its visitors are lucky to have the school as a prosperous and responsible Downtown neighbor.