It’s always a bit difficult to editorialize about projects that are under discussion. Projects that are only being considered. Projects that are more talk than contracts, debate than shovels in the dirt.

Such is the case with the vertiport that Jupiter Realty has proposed for empty parcels in the Illinois Medical District. This idea has been under review since 2006. It’s been approved as a conforming use in the district, which is charged under state law to develop medically related institutions and businesses.

Last month, two consultants hired by the district offered their take on how the vertiport would operate. We detail those findings in this week’s Chicago Journal.

The shorter version: The vertiport should be a private-public partnership. It should mix commercial and medical uses — with more of the former than the latter. It could increase the volume of helicopter traffic dramatically after four years in operations from the estimated number of flights seen in the area today.

What do you think?

We urge community members to weigh in. At the last medical district commission meeting, no one did.

Perhaps the University Village Association, in conjunction with Alds. Fioretti and Solis, who represent the bulk of neighbors living in and near the proposed vertiport, could pull together a meeting about this project to gather public input. Because that certainly isn’t happening at medical district meetings.

As we said, it’s difficult to know whether this project will pulled off. Jupiter Realty, for one, refuses to discuss it with Chicago Journal.

One thing is for certain. This is a big project, and it deserves public input from residents of Pilsen, University Village and other Near West areas. They’re the ones that will have to live with the vertiport if it’s built.

The medical district commission is next scheduled to gather at 1 p.m. April 27. Near West Siders at work during that hour may submit written testimony. Or simply give the organization a call. The number is 312-633-3434