Matthew Dolan, and Eric D. Lawrence

Detroit Free Press

The future of a proposed professional soccer stadium in downtown Detroit will reach a critical point by the end of the year, according to Detroit businessman Dan Gilbert.

That's because the Quicken Loans founder said he expects next month to receive the conclusions of a consultant he hired to examine the pros and cons of the partially constructed Wayne County jail site that Gilbert wants to transform into a professional soccer stadium instead.

"Somewhere in early December, it’s going to come to a head," Gilbert said Friday in an interview after a business school presentation at the University of Michigan.

►Related:Report clears Wayne County 'fail jail' to resume construction

►Related: Gores, Gilbert to try to get a Major League Soccer team in Detroit

Gilbert said he had to hire his own expert to examine the jail site after the idea of sharing the costs of a joint consultant with Wayne County fizzled.

Last week, County Executive Warren Evans said that according to the county's consultant, the county's infamous fail jail is in good enough condition to restart construction as early as next year — a move that could effectively block Gilbert's stadium plans on the same site.

That's according to a report by Ohio-based Mannik and Smith Group, which notes, among other things, the presence of hairline cracking in concrete but says it is normal and of no structural concern. The report also notes that precast jail cells are in good condition and oxidation from exposed rebar visible on columns has not compromised the strength of the concrete.

“The report is clear — the jail site is structurally sound. Construction can restart next year,” Evans said in a news release.

Construction on the jail complex was halted in 2013 over concerns about cost overruns. The county spent about $151 million in construction and related costs at the site and continues to spend about $1.2 million per month for interest on bonds, security and other fees.

A team led by Gilbert and Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores gave a splashy presentation depicting a $1-billion sports complex. Evans has repeatedly said the most cost-effective option for completing the jail is at the Gratiot site, although he has said he is open to any proposals that do not cost taxpayers additional money, at least for now.

Evans has said the administration's goal is to issue a request for proposals (RFP) by January.

"There’s been no shortage of speculation about this project, but we’re continuing to move forward with the Gratiot site,” Evans said in a written statement. "Once we issue the RFP, we’re not looking back. It’ll be full speed ahead on the Gratiot site.”

Contact Matthew Dolan: 313-223-4743 or msdolan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewsdolan.