Pro soccer coming to Detroit?

[401don]

I really don't see why Gilbert wants that site badly enough to pay a couple of hundred million for it. It's far enough removed from his casino that I doubt it has any impact. Would any tourists even notice it exists? Does anyone feel less secure because they pass the courts on their walk to Comerica/Ford Field? If anything, the number of police cars on the streets is very reassuring. A big empty stadium, like Ford Field, will only kill pedestrian activity. I doubt there is enough demand for more hotels & restaurants. I would rather see existing retail spaces and empty lots between Greektown, downtown and the stadium district filled.

[Atticus]

My thoughts:
#1- There is no guarantee that Detroit will be selected for a MLS franchise. So even if Wayne County and Gilbert come to an agreement where Gilbert gets the jail site for $XXX million dollars, there is no guarantee there will be a team to play in the stadium if it were to get built. The decision of whether to build a jail or stadium on the failjail site has to be made [[Feb 10?) before it is known if Detroit is awarded the new franchise [[late 2017). I know Gilbert likes risks, but this one seems like the risk/reward ratio doesn't pan out.

#2- The more I think about it, I think the best outcome for the city [[at this point) is that Wayne County finish the jail, and a new soccer stadium get built elsewhere should Detroit win their MLS bid.
I have several reasons for this conclusion:
A- If Gilbert gets the jail site, he will have to spend several hundred million dollars to offset Wayne County's expenses. Granted it is his money and he can spend it as he chooses, but it would be better for the city if that money were spent instead on the Hudson block development, Monroe block development, or any other number of projects. Basically the $xxx million given to the county becomes "lost money".
B- I actually think the jail is a better land use choice for the fail jail location then a soccer stadium. Though from Gilberts perspective, there really aren't any other large sites for a soccer stadium that are close to his developments.
C- The jail site is a shovel ready "development". Construction jobs and future
Criminal justice jobs will occupy that site immediately. Using it for a soccer stadium means we have to wait a year to see if Detroit gets a MLS franchise or not. And if not, we have vacant land still. Bird in hand better than two in bush.