Don't think the Green Dragon is up for sale even though it's boarded up. Are they waiting to reopen when the work is complete, would be a great view and a good beer garden out front. MBC on the other hand are happy to watch the Boro die.
That time of the morning I would avoid the A174 and opt for Low Lane and go through Thornaby past the Spitfire and join the A66 head into Stockton from near Halfords. The Riverside is out so I would opt for Wellington square at £1:50 for 3 hours.