Posted May 16, 20241 yr Way past time for its own thread!! Browns acquire, razing last house for big Berea project By Ken Prendergast / May 16, 2024 Today, the Berea Planning Commission is expected to approve the demolition of a house that’s the final structure to be cleared for a $221 million mixed-use development planned by the Cleveland Browns and majority owner the Haslam Sports Group. That last house sold for a premium compared to the 43 other single-family homes plus other properties parcels that were acquired for the 38-acre development site. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/16/browns-acquire-razing-last-house-for-big-berea-project/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 22, 20241 yr Author Geotechnical drilling was happening earlier today at the former Serpentini property today. Suggests that a new building is being considered for at least part of that site. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 17, 2024Jun 17 Serpentini Collision is down. The yellow house at Groza and Pearl is fenced in with a machine on site. Sorry, if previously reported.
October 7, 2024Oct 7 The city of Berea is leasing some land to the Browns for $1 so the Browns can apply for a grant for some development costs (source: https://www.cityofberea.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/179). Still no specifics on what exactly will be a part of the development.
October 29, 2024Oct 29 Crains article on the Browns planned mixed use development. Renderings included. https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/browns-spend-150-million-district-46-berea#/Echobox=1730224908
October 29, 2024Oct 29 Author Browns’ Berea ‘District 46’ development revealed By Ken Prendergast / October 29, 2024 Today, the Haslam Sports Group announced it was teaming up with the Berea City Schools, city of Berea, DiGeronimo Companies and University Hospitals to pursue a long-planned mixed-use district next to the Cleveland Browns headquarters in suburban Berea. Recent estimates are that the new development could cost about $221 million to build. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/10/29/browns-berea-district-46-development-revealed/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 29, 2024Oct 29 As ticked off as everyone's been with the Haslam's lately... this project kind of rocks. And it will be a thrill for high school kids to play in that stadium
October 29, 2024Oct 29 Would that be the new home for Berea-midpark football? Going to midpark we always used BW for the football games.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 Cleveland Browns owner announces mixed-use development in Berea Haslam Sports Group, owner of the Cleveland Browns, is teaming up with a handful of partners to develop a mixed-use neighborhood called District 46 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio. An expansion of the Browns' headquarters and practice facility, the "pedestrian-friendly neighborhood" would be developed by Brecksville-based DiGeronimo Cos. and include market-rate apartments, 30,000 square feet of retail space and an upscale hotel built in partnership with Crawford Hoying and operated by Shaner Hotel Group, the Browns said in a statement. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cleveland/news/2024/10/29/cleveland-browns-owner-mixed-use-development-berea.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 30, 2024Oct 30 that looks a lot more office park friendly than what one would think of as mixed use/pedestrian friendly, but ok.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 3 hours ago, cle_guy90 said: Would that be the new home for Berea-midpark football? Going to midpark we always used BW for the football games. yes and i hated that. you had to wear sneakers. give me real grass any day. i would assume its been changed over to real grass since those days?
October 30, 2024Oct 30 This ought to settle down all the talk about the Browns leaving the region. Although the timing of the announcement should generate some good will towards the Browns, it also kind of reduces the potential for relocating out of the area as negotiating leverage.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 1 hour ago, JohnSummit said: This ought to settle down all the talk about the Browns leaving the region. Although the timing of the announcement should generate some good will towards the Browns, it also kind of reduces the potential for relocating out of the area as negotiating leverage. Until ground is broken, it increases the leverage on the county.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 11 hours ago, mrnyc said: yes and i hated that. you had to wear sneakers. give me real grass any day. i would assume its been changed over to real grass since those days? Nope: "During the summer of 2018, the Tressel Field playing surface was upgraded with a new state-of-the-art AstroTurf surface and with a safety pad to reduce concussions."
October 30, 2024Oct 30 ^IMO the former wins, but I feel like there is some nuance, at least with District 46. My feelings about the Haslam's aside, I don't take issue with the team investing in a mixed-use district like this in the suburbs - I feel like some Cleveland suburbs are lacking in development and could use these types of improvements in comparison to say many of the Columbus suburbs which are much newer and better-planned. I see projects like this as helping attract/keep new residents in the metro area who prefer that lifestyle. There is a strong argument for investing in both the central core of the region and also making the suburbs equally attractive (the holistic approach). The issue of course is when businesses poach from Cleveland to the suburbs which is what the Browns plan to do with the stadium - that I take issue with. To me this is a separate project as it is essentially an extension of their preexisting HQ/campus.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 Author 11 minutes ago, E Rocc said: Until ground is broken, it increases the leverage on the county. Except that the Browns/Haslams own the land on which this proposed development would go. To my knowledge, the roughly 8-10 acres of land that the Haslams have acquired for this development represents the first and only land in Greater Cleveland that they've owned. Every thing else was and is leased from the cities of Berea and Cleveland -- something that they could walk away from. If this development happens, that represents roots that are more difficult to pull up. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 30, 2024Oct 30 Berea Mayor Kleem provided some financial details on his Facebook page: Quote The Browns announced today their redevelopment project in Berea that includes a medical building, hotel, apartments, retail, and a community football field. Below are points of negation that are currently being finalized between the City of Berea and the Cleveland Browns and their partners: -The City of Berea is finalizing the terms of the Tax Increment Financing, new payroll tax from the development, admissions tax, and bed tax. -The City of Berea will receive $1 million in a lump sum for its land. -The City of Berea will cap the permit fees at $1 million. -The City of Berea will receive four payments of $1 million each ($4 million total) in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. The plan is to dedicate this revenue to debt payoff. -The City of Berea will receive 100% of the income tax from new residential construction. -The Browns agree not to exercise the opt out clause on the current lease on their headquarters for the years 2039 and 2040. Currently, the Browns lease runs through 2040, but they can opt-out of that lease in 2038. Under the new agreement, the Browns will stay in their lease for two more years (2039 and 2040). We estimate the revenue to the City of Berea to be approximately $14.4 total for the two extra years. -The Browns agree to two-five-year lease extensions at their discretion (Extension #1: 2041-2045 and Extension #2: 2046-2050). We estimate the revenue to the City of Berea to be approximately $38.8 million for the first five years, and $43.6 million for the second. Edited October 30, 2024Oct 30 by acd format
October 30, 2024Oct 30 22 minutes ago, KJP said: this development represents the first and only land in Greater Cleveland that they've owned. I never thought they were threatening to leave the region, but this is a good point. In the whole stadium saga, land ownership seemed to be a deal breaker for the Haslams. And it made me wonder about Burke. If it landfill, just like the current site, is it also barred from being privately owned?
October 30, 2024Oct 30 Author 19 minutes ago, Dino said: I never thought they were threatening to leave the region, but this is a good point. In the whole stadium saga, land ownership seemed to be a deal breaker for the Haslams. And it made me wonder about Burke. If it landfill, just like the current site, is it also barred from being privately owned? Unless Burke is closed by an act of Congress and in that same legislation it authorizes a private sale of the land previously and regularly used only for airport operations to the Haslams. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 30, 2024Oct 30 1 hour ago, KJP said: Except that the Browns/Haslams own the land on which this proposed development would go. To my knowledge, the roughly 8-10 acres of land that the Haslams have acquired for this development represents the first and only land in Greater Cleveland that they've owned. Every thing else was and is leased from the cities of Berea and Cleveland -- something that they could walk away from. If this development happens, that represents roots that are more difficult to pull up. True, but money used to buy land can be recouped, construction costs not so much.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 1 hour ago, Geowizical said: ^IMO the former wins, but I feel like there is some nuance, at least with District 46. My feelings about the Haslam's aside, I don't take issue with the team investing in a mixed-use district like this in the suburbs - I feel like some Cleveland suburbs are lacking in development and could use these types of improvements in comparison to say many of the Columbus suburbs which are much newer and better-planned. I see projects like this as helping attract/keep new residents in the metro area who prefer that lifestyle. There is a strong argument for investing in both the central core of the region and also making the suburbs equally attractive (the holistic approach). The issue of course is when businesses poach from Cleveland to the suburbs which is what the Browns plan to do with the stadium - that I take issue with. To me this is a separate project as it is essentially an extension of their preexisting HQ/campus. I kind of hate that we use the term "poaching" for things that move to the suburbs, it never seems to apply to things like the Cavaliers moving their practice facilities from the suburbs to the city.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 35 minutes ago, E Rocc said: I kind of hate that we use the term "poaching" for things that move to the suburbs, it never seems to apply to things like the Cavaliers moving their practice facilities from the suburbs to the city. I have a slight suspicion that the Cleveland Cavaliers first practiced in Cleveland (even if only for a few years). But your point is absolutely valid for the tens of institutions that abandoned their homes in the suburbs for downtown Cleveland. Edited October 30, 2024Oct 30 by sonisharri
October 30, 2024Oct 30 54 minutes ago, E Rocc said: I kind of hate that we use the term "poaching" for things that move to the suburbs, it never seems to apply to things like the Cavaliers moving their practice facilities from the suburbs to the city. i kind of hate more when people bring up history and leave out the parts they don’t like. in this case how you conveniently ignore prior to that the cavs and the cavs practice facilities were poached from the city to the suburbs.
October 30, 2024Oct 30 2 hours ago, acd said: Berea Mayor Kleem provided some financial details on his Facebook page: ok. at least the haslams didn’t take him to the kleemers. 😂🎉
October 30, 2024Oct 30 Author Financial details of Browns’ Berea development By Ken Prendergast / October 30, 2024 When the Haslam Sports Group, owners of the Cleveland Browns, yesterday announced their plans for a mixed-use development next to the football team’s suburban Berea headquarters, it was the result of a tentative deal with city officials and other project partners. A summary of that deal was since revealed by Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem in a social media post. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/10/30/financial-details-of-browns-berea-development/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 31, 2024Oct 31 21 hours ago, E Rocc said: I kind of hate that we use the term "poaching" for things that move to the suburbs, it never seems to apply to things like the Cavaliers moving their practice facilities from the suburbs to the city. First, I'd hardly call Richfield the suburbs. The idea was to get support from two separate city fanbases by placing the Coliseum between Akron and Cleveland. The area was quite off the beaten path, even AFTER the Coliseum was there. My grandparents lived out that way specifically because they wanted to live someplace quiet, then had a major sport complex built down the road. I wasn't alive yet, but I'm told my grandmother wasn't pleased... Second, The Cavs started in Cleveland and were moved out to Richfield. The Coliseum absolutely was designed to "poach" big events from Cleveland. Third, it should be about what helps the region, and the Haslam's Brookpark plan is unlikely to do that. The Berea plan looks like it will. I haven't heard much complaining about the plans in Berea, except for lackluster design (and what would a discussion on this forum be without folks taking shots at the aesthetics?).
October 31, 2024Oct 31 1 hour ago, Chris314 said: First, I'd hardly call Richfield the suburbs. The idea was to get support from two separate city fanbases by placing the Coliseum between Akron and Cleveland. The area was quite off the beaten path, even AFTER the Coliseum was there. My grandparents lived out that way specifically because they wanted to live someplace quiet, then had a major sport complex built down the road. I wasn't alive yet, but I'm told my grandmother wasn't pleased... Second, The Cavs started in Cleveland and were moved out to Richfield. The Coliseum absolutely was designed to "poach" big events from Cleveland. You're contradicting yourself here. Was the Coliseum put there to split the difference between Akron and Cleveland, or just to poach events from Cleveland? It's absolutely the suburbs. It falls into that area I call the borderlands, where the de facto Akron and Cleveland metro areas blend and people identify with both and not strongly with either. Richfield, Twinsburg, the Nordonia suburbs all qualify. Even Walton Hills and Brecksville to a point.
October 31, 2024Oct 31 16 minutes ago, E Rocc said: You're contradicting yourself here. Was the Coliseum put there to split the difference between Akron and Cleveland, or just to poach events from Cleveland? It's absolutely the suburbs. It falls into that area I call the borderlands, where the de facto Akron and Cleveland metro areas blend and people identify with both and not strongly with either. Richfield, Twinsburg, the Nordonia suburbs all qualify. Even Walton Hills and Brecksville to a point. You know it can be both right?
October 31, 2024Oct 31 On 10/29/2024 at 5:14 PM, urb-a-saurus said: LOL, more white paneling surrounding windows, groan. Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V from Valor Acres? (same developer, DiGeronimo) https://neo-trans.blog/2024/01/29/ne-ohio-wins-two-transformational-tax-credits/
October 31, 2024Oct 31 2 hours ago, Chris314 said: First, I'd hardly call Richfield the suburbs. The idea was to get support from two separate city fanbases by placing the Coliseum between Akron and Cleveland. The area was quite off the beaten path, even AFTER the Coliseum was there. IIRC, Nick Mileti wanted to stay downtown, but got no support from the city, and thus looked elsewhere. For those old enough to remember, downtown Cleveland was quite desolate at night in the early 70s which might have factored into Mileti's decision.
October 31, 2024Oct 31 31 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said: IIRC, Nick Mileti wanted to stay downtown, but got no support from the city, and thus looked elsewhere. For those old enough to remember, downtown Cleveland was quite desolate at night in the early 70s which might have factored into Mileti's decision. I'll admit that I can't comment on that, as I wasn't around yet. Others with better memory or knowledge of those particulars can chime in. All I'll say is that I'd take any business developers statements with a grain of salt. In my experience, they tend to follow the best payout for themselves at the expense of just about everything else. The larger point remains that the Richfield Coliseum absolutely pulled events/money from downtown with the hope it would pull from both Cleveland and Akron. It also wasn't as successful as hoped, because they tore it down less than 25 years later. One would hope it would serve as a lesson learned. The Berea development is a very different animal than what the Haslams want to do in Brookpark. One looks to be a net positive while the other would be a monument to egotistical hubris and selfishness that (if implemented in the way it is planned) would hinder the dynamic growth our region so desperately needs on the whims of one man's vanity. I'll leave it to everyone here to determine which one is which. Edited October 31, 2024Oct 31 by Chris314
October 31, 2024Oct 31 16 minutes ago, Chris314 said: The Berea development is a very different animal than what the Haslams want to do in Brookpark. One looks to be a net positive while the other would be a monument to egotistical hubris and selfishness that (if implemented in the way it is planned) would hinder the dynamic growth our region so desperately needs on the whims of one man's vanity. I'm on board -- Berea 👍 👍 Brookpark 👎👎
October 31, 2024Oct 31 5 hours ago, LibertyBlvd said: IIRC, Nick Mileti wanted to stay downtown, but got no support from the city, and thus looked elsewhere. For those old enough to remember, downtown Cleveland was quite desolate at night in the early 70s which might have factored into Mileti's decision. True - But we still had a huge daytime downtown population until the 80's to build upon in theory as compared to today. it was a different era with the combustible river (and Mayor Perk's hair), suburban flight, corporate flight to the south and sunbelt and the embarassing default, all set the stage for the misery that was to follow. If only the leaders could have worked with Mileti and Stienbrenner when he wanted to buy the Indians things may have been different today. It seems we have a window open right now to try and regain some of that magic if only...
October 31, 2024Oct 31 OOH, DEVEREAUUUX sorry, wrong city. Already lit for Texans Rodgers. Um, yeah, Berea, Richfield, Cleveland Crunch. Good memories.
November 8, 2024Nov 8 Author Browns’ Berea District 46 plans coming into focus By Ken Prendergast / November 8, 2024 In a public record secured by NEOtrans, more details are coming to light about the owner of the Cleveland Browns, the Haslam Sports Group’s (HSG), proposed mixed-use development in suburban Berea. That includes specifications for the features in the new 500,000-square-foot development which will be built around a small, new sports stadium, dubbed a community field. https://neo-trans.blog/2024/11/08/browns-berea-district-46-plans-coming-into-focus/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 13, 2024Nov 13 On 11/8/2024 at 5:04 PM, KJP said: Browns’ Berea District 46 plans coming into focus By Ken Prendergast / November 8, 2024 In a public record secured by NEOtrans, more details are coming to light about the owner of the Cleveland Browns, the Haslam Sports Group’s (HSG), proposed mixed-use development in suburban Berea. That includes specifications for the features in the new 500,000-square-foot development which will be built around a small, new sports stadium, dubbed a community field. https://neo-trans.blog/2024/11/08/browns-berea-district-46-plans-coming-into-focus/ According to Berea City Council Minutes from 10/28, the hotel will indeed be Marriott-affiliated and called The Barker. Also of note, the apartments are market-rate and overall the parking is planned to accommodate 1600 cars. Quote Ms. Lince introduced all in attendance to District 46, the expansion of the Browns footprint on the North End of Berea. The proposed development would include a community field, an open space for fan experience that connects the training fields to the community field, a University Hospital sports medicine facility with space for additional tenants, a parking garage and additional parking areas that could accommodate approximately 1,600 cars, two 75 unit market rate apartment buildings, a Marriott affiliated, 140 room hotel called The Barker, open space to allow for the expansion of the community field for special events, and additional land that could potentially be used for a community rec center or fieldhouse. The intent is to begin the expansion in the first quarter of 2025, with an opening set for the first quarter of 2027.
November 13, 2024Nov 13 1 hour ago, acd said: According to Berea City Council Minutes from 10/28, the hotel will indeed be Marriott-affiliated and called The Barker. Also of note, the apartments are market-rate and overall the parking is planned to accommodate 1600 cars. 1600 CARS?????? Jesus.
November 13, 2024Nov 13 Such a shame. They could have done this all downtown as a part of a football district. Instead he's trying to spread it across Berea and Brookpark.
November 13, 2024Nov 13 I think Berea makes sense given it is the long time home of the Browns headquarters and eventually the teams training camp. It also could meld well with the surrounding neighborhood and boost Berea's downtown. Brookpark makes no sense to me for so many reasons.
November 13, 2024Nov 13 This all seems iffy and sketchy (both the BP land options and Berea plans). Per the KJP story everything is set in stages - stages that may not come if Jimmy leaves town with our Browns in 6 months (nothing seems to break ground until at least then). I can't get past their rushing to sue the city of Cleveland at the jump - the City they profess to love - over Ohio's Modell Law. They say it is either unconstitutional - or not applicable - but either way they took the extreme position and put the us all on notice that the 6-month clock to move (anywhere?) already started. Even if the Berea development was underway it is billed as a community project with some housing, a hotel and a UH hospital project - all of which can Jimmy can simply sell or walk away from and donate to BW or the community. We hope we are wrong but we smell a rat. Again if the Haslam's really wanted what is best for Cleveland all they have to do is come back to the table and negotiate with Mayor Bibb and Executive Ronayne and simply repeat what he is doing to make Downtown C-bus a world class city: https://www.pizzuti.com/press/astor-park https://haslamsports.com/properties/astor-park/ Per Dee Haslam: “We love how Astor Park is evolving and are excited for the Columbus community to experience the neighborhood in so many unique and exciting ways,” said Dee Haslam, Chief Executive Officer of Haslam Sports Group. “We’re certainly thrilled that New Crew Stadium within Astor Park points to the exciting future of Crew SC, Major League Soccer and the world-class city of Columbus. While the name Astor Park was derived from its historic soccer roots, we know the neighborhood itself will be vibrant and dynamic with great energy year-round from people working, living, and enjoying the beautiful green space.” Edited November 13, 2024Nov 13 by Willo
November 13, 2024Nov 13 3 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said: 1600 CARS?????? Jesus. can't have too much parking I guess? - hopefully there will be a Sheetz gas station within the development so the alleged football tourists can safely fill their gas tanks up before heading for the interstate or turnpike.
November 13, 2024Nov 13 3 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said: 1600 CARS?????? Jesus. I also thought that seemed nuts, but if they ever have close to 6500 people in the stadium, it’ll probably be packed. More often, it’ll probably max out at several hundred parking spots being used (150 apartments + 150 hotel rooms + office + retail).
November 14, 2024Nov 14 ^ Brook Park is already getting a Sheetz just north of there where Dante's Restaurant currently sits on Sheldon and Rocky River/Front St lol.
November 22, 2024Nov 22 Author Haslam’s Brook Park, Berea developments progress By Ken Prendergast / November 21, 2024 A small but strategic piece of land that was in the way of the Haslam Sports Group’s (HSG) proposed stadium for its Cleveland Browns football team in suburban Brook Park has sold. Its sale gets it out of the way and into the fold of the overall property transaction for the roofed stadium. And in neighboring Berea, where HSG and its partners plan a Browns-themed mixed-use development, site plans are getting their first airing tonight as part of a rezoning request. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/11/21/haslams-brook-park-berea-developments-progress/ And the site plan.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 3, 2024Dec 3 Cleveland Browns owner gets planning nod for Berea development Haslam Sports Group and DiGeronimo Cos. have received the first of three planned unit development approvals from the Berea Planning Commission for their District 46 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus mixed-use development. The expansion of the Cleveland Browns' headquarters and practice facility in Berea is being sold as a "pedestrian-friendly neighborhood" that would include market-rate apartments, retail space, an upscale hotel, field house, sports fields and sports medicine facility run by University Hospitals. Berea Planning Commission Chairman Matt Madzy made it clear during the Nov. 21 meeting that the project plan is in its early stages and subject to change, Cleveland.com reported. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cleveland/news/2024/12/02/cleveland-browns-haslam-sports-district-46.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 4, 2024Dec 4 Berea is trying to use the Browns development as a springboard to attract a new developer for the north end of the bridge on Front St. A new RFP was issued 12/1: https://cityofberea.org/DocumentCenter/View/4536/RFP---Revitalization-of-Front-Street--North-Rocky-River-Drive-Corridor
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