When I spoke to someone at the club last year they were trying to make it viable. The South stand was easier as it allowed the club to increase revenue on tier 2. Also there is the added factor of demolishing the souvenir shop and remodelling City Square. I was told it would be done in a season or two maybe 12 months ago. Laings were offering savings for continuity of work but once the cabins went it was clear it was not imminent. I am told the club were looking at incorporating maybe an indoor venue into the stand - maybe like a mini basketball arena or ice arena or something along those lines to see if they could make it stack up and also long term benefits of a huge Kop - Dortmund Style - in my opinion that will make the stadium look even more disjointed.
As for the collar site - I cant see anything imminent but that is just a hunch rather than anything concrete. As Tolmie says maybe our Chinese Friends are starting something.
The club a few years back wanted 100k on a new site - training ground but it would not look good for the council to have demolished the Etihad. I can't see us being in it in 20 years in my honest opinion.
Aside from the shop what are the difference between the two end stands are they not identical ? With the proposed development also identical ? You seem to be saying that the end yet to be done is more complex and less profitable why ?