The stadium could have possibly been re developed, but it is the surounding area, no parking etc.

when the old stadia were built, no one of any significence had a car but now the majority of households, everybody has a car so it is very difficult to park in the streets, & possibly some of the damage to cars could be a spite thing, as when folk park outside my house it p###es me of so I imagine when every space in your road is taken it is really annoying, so to update the facilities in old grounds doesnt solve the outer problems.
Understand what you say re "soulless stadiums" but sign of the times we all have to move on.

If people read what Dave Tarry said when the final green light from the council was announced he said it would be April because some legal i's needed dotting and t's needed crossing. as soon as those documents are signed we can start remediation work!

I got giddy the other day driving over the Barton flyover when I saw all the diggers and bulldozers, then I realised I was on the wrong side of the ship canal. DOH!!