Are fortunes finally changing for city's most annoying plot of land near Sheffield station?
It sits there as if it is laughing at us...
I have a new competition open all Sheffielders to take part in. Name me the most infuriating piece of land in the city ... answers on a postcard or email to the usual address.
Then forgive me for hogging the mic but I am sure I speak for many of us when I point firmly in the direction of the station.
For more years than I care to remember, the good people of Sheffield have been stuck in the most ludicrous traffic jams overlooked by a huge, empty plot of land.
It sits there as if it is laughing at us, weeds waving in the wind behind fences or boards that did nothing to hide calm our annoyance.
I have regularly been reminded that the spot in question hasn't been owned by the council, but that really doesn't make it any better. Heart of our city, prime land - but abandoned other than the occasional funfair.
The fun certainly doesn't stretch any further. Had we been able to use it, even with the understanding that it was temporary until a permanent solution was found, it would have been transformational.
Were those questions ever asked? What does the lack of development say to visitors when they first step into our wonderful city?
The announcement of government money to create a new and sparkly Station Campus is brilliant news. Finally, something positive nationally rather than pompous local responses to common sense questions.
We need more homes and we should be moving mountains to make sure the younger generation can get on the housing ladder. I remain on the fence about the number of flats being created in town without too much else going on for the city centre, but what a great location for those who have to commute.
We are not getting HS2 and we have Europe's largest non-electrified station, but at least we look set to be creating something more impressive than weeds to greet travellers. All we need is a development partner to step forward and the ironically branded 'stalled' site will whoosh forward into the future.
As part of this project, which presumably will have very sensible plans for parking and access, the city must look again at how cars move - or don't - to and from the station.
The new system isn't working. It was clear before it was ever implemented that it was doomed to fail. The whole purpose of stations means it is imperative for easy access - people will always need dropping off and picking up. I can't recall when that was last easy in Sheffield.
We must have all sat in the dreaded circle of gridlock praying for a crane to drop out of the sky and pluck us out of an impossible jam. Now we all see the illegal 'hovering' that takes place because there aren't enough places for a city this size. If you are disabled, goodness only knows how you are supposed to cope. Each time planners go back to the drawing board, it seems to get worse.
Station Campus means a whole new approach is needed and this fantastic opportunity should finally put the station chaos to bed. Good news for all.
There are three other sites in Sheffield that will receive their slice of the funding but this is the one that will be most visible, that has the potential to truly signal a change.
Yes, we've been here before several times with the same piece of land. Yes, the city has endured almost two decades of anger and bemusement at the irony of an empty plot sat right next to insufficient drop off areas. But yes, let's be positive that this might actually happen.
I was tempted to dig out a very similar piece I wrote about this very topic when we dreamed of Channel 4 pulling up in Sheffield - but you wouldn't want me to be too antagonistic, would you?This really could be a wonderful addition.
Throw in the dream that those at the top of the council might even see fit to oversee changes to the parking system at the station which improves it rather than their repeated trick of making it worse, and it is a win for all.
I wait with optimism to see Station Campus become a reality.
Just don't mention the potential knock-on impact of the seemingly new bridge planned to link to Park Hill and what that might mean for what must be the country's largest station without ticket barriers. Public right of way ... controversy on the way, I hear you say? Surely not with this city's track record?!