For a long time it has been accepted that the future success of Halifax's greatest attraction rests a great deal on what can be done to the buildings and on land in the surrounding area. It is the foyer concept designed to give a dramatic boost to the number of people who go into the Piece Hall.
Ideas are now being firmed up and a detailed report is being assembled in a determined attempt to make a bid for major funding in September 2008.
The Piece Hall shops were back on the agenda - though most plans for the future have considered that these were now an integral part of the attraction and would remain so.
But clearly alone they are not enough to support the Piece Hall. However, if the overall plan succeeds and footfall grows significantly the shops will be given a massive lift and they themselves will be able to improve.
A widely held view is that the Piece Hall must become an evening attraction and that means adding restaurants - it is the dream to see the Piece Hall alive with diners and people enjoying themselves on a summer's night with perhaps some temporary covering.
Square Chapel has already seized the initiative and hopes to link directly into the Piece Hall so that will be how their theatre-goers will exit a show looking for somewhere to eat and relax.
Two other links could be a university building and a museum - and these two might not be entirely separate concepts. There is a lot of support for a textile museum to mark Calderdale's place in industrial history but this could work directly with an education centre which brings the skills right up to the present and into the future.
The link to the Eureka site and railway station remains vital. For some time this has been thought to include a new fourth gateway on the east side of the Piece Hall. An entrance there does seem essential but the ground levels need looking at carefully. It could be that the answer would be a hidden entrance on the first floor which would exit and take pedestrians across to the railway station via a level walkway. Sounds a bit complicated.
But what is certain is that whatever new building borders the east wall of the Piece Hall has to be of international standard. It requires a building which can complement one of Yorkshire's finest attractions and architecturally, could be the most important built in Halifax in the 21st century.
Phil Cook is at the moment leading this project for Calderdale Council. He urged the people of Halifax to raise their ambitions when they think of their aspirations for the Piece Hall.
You can comment below but longer thoughts and suggestions or background material can be sent by email to me at john.kenealy@halifaxcourier.co.uk