More good news: There’s hope that the Filene’s Big Hole in Downtown Crossing may yet be filled – with an actual building.

Ownership of the abandoned construction site have changed hands, and it looks like the new bosses in charge are prepared and determined to resume work on the embarrassing eyesore in the heart of the city’s shopping district. They’re planning retail, housing and offices within a future tower.

Hmmm. Is this another Super Bowl omen? We can only hope.

File under: Go Pats!

Let’s hope it’s an omen for Sunday’s Super Bowl: The nation’s jobless rate fell to 8.3 percent last month, after employers created a net 243,000 jobs. It’s the biggest monthly increase in nine months.

The latest numbers bode well for Massachusetts, which will release its latest jobs stats in a few weeks. More than likely, it will also show an improving jobs picture. A few more months like this, and people will start feeling better about the economy and the confidence could spill over into other economic areas, such as housing. We’ll see.

As for Sunday’s game, well, this news really has nothing to do with it. But it sure would help our confidence if the Pats win.

File under: Go Pats!

Actually, we’ll start this post the way we usually end some posts, i.e. File under: Duh!

That’s our reaction to the list of the 15 best housing markets over the next five years. Almost all of them are today’s basket case markets — in Florida, California, Arizona, etc.

They have no where to go but up, therefore they make the best future housing markets.

Granted, it’s good to know who or what product might one day be on the rise, for the biggest profits are often made by buying low. But this is definitely one “best” list that Bostonians should be happy not to be on.

National Development has released a completely revamped plan to redevelop the old Boston Herald property in the South End along Harrison Avenue, the Globe is reporting (sub. required).

If you recall, the previous redevelopment proposal was largely panned as boring and uninspiring, basically converting the old structure and putting 262 new apartments and retail inside.

But now National Development, which effectively controls the property, has proposed four new buildings with 475 apartments, more than 80,000 square feet of retail (including a grocery store of some sorts), and other amenities.

The Globe graphic looks pretty sharp — and residents are quoted as saying it’s a much better plan than the initial idea for the site. We tend to agree.

The Herald recently moved out of One Herald Square, as its old site was known, to the Seaport area, opening the way for redevelopment of the six-acre property. The Herald’s publisher apparently still owns a piece of the property, but National Development is the one calling the shots.

File under: Progress

An update — Since we posted this morning, Boston.com has put up the story, no subscription required. Check it out.

Just listed. Charles Street retail space avail 800 sq ft. Asking price $5,800.00 per month (gross lease) street level location.

For more information, call Linda Mitrano at 617-512-4557.