CLEVELAND — City leaders in Brook Park have sent a message to the owners of the Cleveland Browns about where it stands on the question of the site of a future stadium.
Brook Park City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for the Haslam Sports Group to "strongly consider the former Ford property as the location for a new domed stadium for the Cleveland Browns."
With the lease on Cleveland Browns Stadium set to expire in 2028, team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam announced earlier this year that they are down to two options when it comes to their future stadium site: a $1 billion dollar renovation to their existing downtown stadium, or a domed stadium outside of the city at double the cost.
The Haslams said they have an option to purchase 176 acres of land in Brook Park near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Brook Park City Council believes the land, once the property of Ford, can also become a "mixed-use entertainment district, potentially attracting visitors from across the region and the nation."
Cuyahoga County sources told 3News Investigates' Lynna Lai that the Haslams began floating the idea of a new $2 billion stadium outside of downtown Cleveland last summer. Those same sources told Lai that the Haslams would be willing to put up half of the money and would look to cobble together regional, state and private funding for the rest.
So why this piece of land by the airport? County insiders tell 3News Investigates the Haslams like the ready-made infrastructure, with the I-X Center nearby along with easy interstate access.
While the Haslams appear to have both the necessary land and the support of the leaders of Brook Park in place, the question of how exactly the massive project would be financed is a long way from being answered.
Last month, Jeremy Pelzer of 3News partner Cleveland.com reported that the Browns are seeking $1.2 billion in public money to go towards a potential new $2.4 billion venue in Brook Park, with state and local governments equally splitting the former figure for a total of $600 million each. However, Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens said the state doesn't have that much money to spare, and even if it did, he's skeptical of the concept anyway.
"We don't have $600 million to give," Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, told reporters. "I mean, it's really easy to not support it when you don't have it."
In April, 3News partner Signal Cleveland reported that Browns representatives met with state lawmakers to present their proposal for a new multipurpose stadium in Brook Park. Drawings shown to lawmakers, according to Signal Cleveland, depicted a multipurpose stadium that appeared to be built deep into the ground with room for development around it.
Browns organizers reportedly sold the project as an "unprecedented economic development effort that includes a domed stadium and entertainment and lifestyle district that would be mostly privately funded – but would likely cost taxpayers significantly, too," according to Signal Cleveland.
You can read the resolution from Brook Park City Council below:
Previous Reporting:
- Cleveland City Council approves ordinance directing city to enforce 'Art Modell Law' in Browns stadium talks
- Cleveland Browns meet with lawmakers to show plans for potential Brook Park stadium
- JIMMY'S TAKE: Jim Donovan believes the Cleveland Browns want a new domed stadium, likely in Brook Park
- Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam say stadium options are $1B renovation or new $2B dome outside city
- Cleveland Browns looking at 'additional sites' in Northeast Ohio for new stadium
