Let's say, phenomenal news.

This is better than good news. This is phenomenal. BlueCross BlueShield is going to build its new headquarters at the site of the Buffalo Gas Light Co. near the 190 and Channel 7. The site is a brownfield, and will finally be cleaned up and remediated for the new construction, which will (thankfully) incorporate the remaining facade of the old Gas Light building that remains there. Hopefully, whoever decides to redevelop AM&A decides to retain that facade, as well.

"The former Buffalo Gas Light Co. site in downtown Buffalo will become the new home of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and its 1,200 employees. HealthNow New York, the health insurer's parent company, announced Wednesday it prefers the parcel at 249 W. Genesee St., next to the Niagara Thruway, for its headquarters. The company plans to relocate from 1901 Main St., next to Canisius College, to the downtown site by the end of 2007. The $100 million-plus project is billed as the largest private-sector development in downtown since construction of M&T Bank headquarters in 1967."

Buffalo, it's time to get optimistic.