At first glance, Tuesday's story on the museum site decision looked grim for the mall location.

The Schweitzer administration said it would delay a decision over where to put the new Montana Historical Society museum until Jan. 31, to see whether supporters of the Capital Hill Mall site can privately raise $24 million by that date.

"$24 million by Jan. 31?" asked a member of the IR Editorial Board. "Why not just say 'no'?"

In a letter to the governor, Department of Administration Director Janet Kelly said it is her responsibility "to make sure that the new Heritage Center building project is financially attainable." If the $24 million is raised by the raised by the mall owner's deadline, it would go a long way toward demonstrating that attainability.

Although that certainly sounded fatal for the mall option -- how could the money be raised that quickly, especially over the holiday season? -- a couple of reasons for hope were buried in Tuesday's story.

First, the governor told the Lee State Bureau that he didn't see why Jan. 31 had to be a strict deadline. He said the time period in which to raise the money could be extended by six or nine months, provided the mall owner, Westfield Properties, would agree to the change.

To be sure, Westfield has said it would like to get a decision by Jan. 31, but if the company really is interested in selling its property to the state, one would presume that a later date wouldn't be a deal-breaker.

Second, Schweitzer pointed out that mall-site backer and former First Lady Betty Babcock had told him last month that she had the names of people who had agreed in 2005 to donate a total of $20 million toward the cause. If those people still are willing to give that amount -- which Babcock told the State Bureau is no sure thing -- then the initial fund raising effort would be five-sixths of the way there.

So, even though the task of meeting the Jan. 31 deadline to raise the $24 million difference between estimated costs of the mall location and a Capital Complex site is daunting, it appears that doesn't necessarily have to be impossible. And that can be seen as good news for those with a grander vision of a new museum.