I think i've read something you wrote on this before Peter, so had heard the above before, all fair points. I'd be interested in what you think re the below though
1) Would the potential re-routing of the WBR do anything in terms of helping the 'transport infrastructure' issues that the stadium has over around 65K (which would be a hurdle to safe standing)
2) could there be further commercial potential, either for the area/council or the club if it were rerouted? I'm thinking hotels, restaurants, shopping or even property.
3) Could a reformed Kop have the same and therefore could it be made to 'pay' for itself in some way?
4) Dortmund have made their 'Yellow Wall' a real selling point the last few years. If, and it's a big if at this point, safe standing is introduced, I could see a commercial argument for Liverpool having 'the biggest Kop in Europe' or the World. Don't get me wrong, it's already iconic, but is there potential to make it more iconic in some way? I suspect there's some serious kudos could be earned by the owners with a bit of creativity and the flexibility of the council.
I do really like that Yara park idea, having the stadium sit in woodland, maybe with public sports facilities etc dotted around like you see in the US. Whether it's feasible I don't know.
I think we are years off them touching the Kop to be honest, if at all, there'd be a lot more financial sense it trying to do the Kemlyn. Incidentally I saw a poster on Skyscraper city mention that the club were working with housing association that owned the houses on the skerries to potentially allow expanding there to be an option. I've never read that anywhere else, have my doubts if it's true.
I really don't see any value in re-routeing WBR. And, if anything it would make traffic flow worse.
Many years ago, I did a model with a rectangular space (demolishing the church with WBR running through it on the same alignment as now as an Anfield Plaza with matchday venues (pubs, bars, fast food...) owned by the club and run by individual lessees. No-one picked it up.
I didn't look at the Yarra thing but I could see Anfield and Goodison working together around a sports park in the park in a parkland setting (see Football Quarter). I don't think the club was interested in helping the competition out.
The only thing that makes any kind of straight financial sense is minimal outlay for maximum effect i.e.., safe standing but even that is highly marginal. Frankly I think the Yellow Wall beats the Kop hands down (and they sing YNWA better more regularly) and it can be all-seater or all-standing. It takes about three days to convert.
For me the whole kop thing is about kudos and image. Hard to put a cost/benefit analysis to, unless it's about brand awareness and a statement of intent (by the club - not FSG). FSG are keeping the stadium at arm's length in effect.
I really think the ground's going to be big enough (but could take the extra for standing, say 6 games a season). Nonetheless, if I were the club, I'd be talking to the people in Skerries Road. One day, you never know...