CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Since 2017 the Cleveland Browns have been exploring their stadium options – renovate or build new.
In February, the Haslam Sports Group secured a purchase option agreement for 176 acres of land located off Snow and Engle Roads in Brook Park adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for a potential dome complex.
Wednesday afternoon we got a look at what exactly the Browns have planned for the site should they choose to move forward with construction and pass on a $1.2 billion renovation of Cleveland Browns Stadium.
“We do not take the stadium decision lightly, and have been working diligently with city, county and state officials to consider all opportunities,” Browns chief operating officer David Jenkins said in a letter sent to season ticket holders Wednesday afternoon. “We need to be bold, we need to be innovative, and we need to take advantage of this unique moment to create a transformational project not only for our fans, but for Cleveland, the Northeast Ohio region and the State of Ohio.”
WATCH the video fly through of the proposed dome courtesy of the Cleveland Browns and HKS Architects in the player above.
The Browns have pledged $1.2 billion – or half – towards the construction of the dome – plus any cost overruns for the project as well as committed up to $1.4 billion towards an adjacent mixed-use development on the same site.
“While significant work remains, the more we have explored the Brook Park option, the more attractive it has become, and we are excited to share the current vision with you,” Jenkins wrote.
Last week, Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb sent a letter to the Haslam Sports Group outlining the city’s proposal for $461 million in financing over 30 years to contribute towards a $1.2 billion overhaul of Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Bibb gave the team an August 12 deadline to respond.
“While our current stadium has served us well, it would need substantial improvements to ensure future sustainability and make it a state-of-the-art facility that makes Cleveland proud,” Jenkins wrote. “The lakefront site also has significant operational limitations for a building of our size, and requires major infrastructure moves to improve our operational and fan experience challenges. We have invested heavily in exploring this path and remain engaged with the City of Cleveland regarding a potential renovation plan, but it remains a complex and challenging proposition.”
Multiple sources have told 92.3 The Fan that the existing stadium would not survive the proposed 30-year lease extension term mayor Bibb proposed and the proposed overhaul would likely extend the life of the stadium for only 15, maybe 20 years.
Jenkins explained building a roof over the existing stadium is not economically feasible and there are FAA restrictions involved. A future Burke Lakefront Airport stadium site, among others, were also explored but it was determined they were not feasible options.
“The Brook Park site is the most compelling option for a dome for several reasons: its central location for our regional fan base, its proximity to downtown, the RTA and the airport, and its strong existing infrastructure,” Jenkins wrote. “The large footprint is also ripe for major economic development and supports ample parking and optimized ingress/egress for our visitors.”
READ Jenkins full letter HERE.
As we have previously reported, the Browns are looking to fund the public portion of the project through the issuance of bonds backed by future tax revenues generated by the dome and development complex.
“We are not looking to tap into existing taxpayer-funded streams, which could divert resources from other pressing needs,” Jenkins wrote. “We are instead working on innovative funding mechanisms with local, county, and state officials that would leverage the fiscal impact of the project and the unprecedented private contribution to support the public investment and generate a substantial return for Brook Park, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio. While still in progress, our funding model also contemplates setting aside future dollars generated by the project for stadium repairs and maintenance to help ensure long-term sustainability of the building well beyond the initial lease term.”
While Jenkins points out that no final stadium decision has been made by the team, all signs continue to point to Brook Park.