5 hours ago, PlanCleveland said:

Ya not to get too off topic, but I think this is a huge point. Harris/Blitzer have already started to buy property Downtown, and view that Downtown real estate development as their way to make more money and have more fans closer to the stadium. KJP mentioned Harris/Blitzer working together with Bedrock on projects.

Progressive is one of the best stadiums in baseball, and should be a stadium that is around for 100 years.

HSG just wants an easy monopoly on parking revenue. They don't seem interested on taking the risk of becoming real estate developers.

Bedrock/HBSE should ask for $600 million in bonds for what would be a far more economically beneficial project. The state is about to set the precedent of handing out truckloads of free money at a very low bar. It'll be open season following this as far as I'm concerned.

1 hour ago, simplythis said:

Brook Park mayor meets with state senators and house representatives, about Browns’ new dome

By Brittany Wier

Published: May 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO) - Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt traveled down to Columbus Wednesday to meet with Ohio Gov. DeWine, state senators and house representatives about the Browns’ new dome and mixed-use facility.

“We have been down here showing our support for the city of Brook Park and our excitement for this wonderful project,” said Orcutt.

He said the reason for these meetings is to iron out the details of the multi-billion dollar project.

Orcutt shared a main concern for the legislature is having everyone one the same page.

“We assured them that yes, there is support — not only from my administration, the mayor’s office — but also from city council,” said Orcutt.

He says the each city council member in Brook Park signed a letter of support for the new dome.

Those letters have been sent to every senator and representative in the statehouse.

“As they have been working on this and learning more and more about this project, they see the potential for economic development in the region, the city of Brook Park, and how wonderful this will be for the state of Ohio,” said Orcutt.

On Wednesday, the mayor said he specifically met with the senate finance chairman about future funding.

“We had another conversation about this, just to make sure we clarified and checked this project out from A to Z, to make sure that Brook Park is prepared to host an NFL stadium,” said Orcutt.

Traffic and infrastructure were a major concern for some representatives.

The mayor said they have a plan to make sure traffic can easily get in and out of the stadium, while protecting the airport.

“Brook Park was built to handle 22,000 vehicles a day with Ford Motor Company. We are going to make other improvements, and we will share those traffic study reports when they are complete this summer,” said Orcutt.

He said he plans to have a constant presence in Columbus until the state budget approval at the end of June.

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/05/28/brook-park-mayor-meets-with-gov-dewine-state-representatives-about-browns-new-dome/

Increasing capacity to support 43,000 more people is something that is MUCH easier said than done. Also the difference with supporting 22,000 cars from ford and 65,000 Browns fans is one is spread out throughout the day and the other is testing the limits of the traffic grid all at once. That is a BIG difference. Also you can only add so many lanes, and adding traffic infrastructure to support a venue that Is used 10 times per year seems so financially reckless.

49 minutes ago, simplythis said:

Brook Park mayor meets with state senators and house representatives, about Browns’ new dome

By Brittany Wier

Published: May 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO) - Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt traveled down to Columbus Wednesday to meet with Ohio Gov. DeWine, state senators and house representatives about the Browns’ new dome and mixed-use facility.

“We have been down here showing our support for the city of Brook Park and our excitement for this wonderful project,” said Orcutt.

He said the reason for these meetings is to iron out the details of the multi-billion dollar project.

Orcutt shared a main concern for the legislature is having everyone one the same page.

“We assured them that yes, there is support — not only from my administration, the mayor’s office — but also from city council,” said Orcutt.

He says the each city council member in Brook Park signed a letter of support for the new dome.

Those letters have been sent to every senator and representative in the statehouse.

“As they have been working on this and learning more and more about this project, they see the potential for economic development in the region, the city of Brook Park, and how wonderful this will be for the state of Ohio,” said Orcutt.

On Wednesday, the mayor said he specifically met with the senate finance chairman about future funding.

“We had another conversation about this, just to make sure we clarified and checked this project out from A to Z, to make sure that Brook Park is prepared to host an NFL stadium,” said Orcutt.

Traffic and infrastructure were a major concern for some representatives.

The mayor said they have a plan to make sure traffic can easily get in and out of the stadium, while protecting the airport.

“Brook Park was built to handle 22,000 vehicles a day with Ford Motor Company. We are going to make other improvements, and we will share those traffic study reports when they are complete this summer,” said Orcutt.

He said he plans to have a constant presence in Columbus until the state budget approval at the end of June.

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/05/28/brook-park-mayor-meets-with-gov-dewine-state-representatives-about-browns-new-dome/

Love how the traffic study will be completed in the summer when the budget is to be approved in June. Could they not have workedon t

24 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said:

Increasing capacity to support 43,000 more people is something that is MUCH easier said than done. Also the difference with supporting 22,000 cars from ford and 65,000 Browns fans is one is spread out throughout the day and the other is testing the limits of the traffic grid all at once. That is a BIG difference. Also you can only add so many lanes, and adding traffic infrastructure to support a venue that Is used 10 times per year seems so financially reckless.

But don't worry the traffic study may or may not be done before the vote occurs.

2 hours ago, simplythis said:

Brook Park mayor meets with state senators and house representatives, about Browns’ new dome

By Brittany Wier

Published: May 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO) - Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt traveled down to Columbus Wednesday to meet with Ohio Gov. DeWine, state senators and house representatives about the Browns’ new dome and mixed-use facility.

“We have been down here showing our support for the city of Brook Park and our excitement for this wonderful project,” said Orcutt.

He said the reason for these meetings is to iron out the details of the multi-billion dollar project.

Orcutt shared a main concern for the legislature is having everyone one the same page.

“We assured them that yes, there is support — not only from my administration, the mayor’s office — but also from city council,” said Orcutt.

He says the each city council member in Brook Park signed a letter of support for the new dome.

Those letters have been sent to every senator and representative in the statehouse.

“As they have been working on this and learning more and more about this project, they see the potential for economic development in the region, the city of Brook Park, and how wonderful this will be for the state of Ohio,” said Orcutt.

On Wednesday, the mayor said he specifically met with the senate finance chairman about future funding.

“We had another conversation about this, just to make sure we clarified and checked this project out from A to Z, to make sure that Brook Park is prepared to host an NFL stadium,” said Orcutt.

Traffic and infrastructure were a major concern for some representatives.

The mayor said they have a plan to make sure traffic can easily get in and out of the stadium, while protecting the airport.

“Brook Park was built to handle 22,000 vehicles a day with Ford Motor Company. We are going to make other improvements, and we will share those traffic study reports when they are complete this summer,” said Orcutt.

He said he plans to have a constant presence in Columbus until the state budget approval at the end of June.

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/05/28/brook-park-mayor-meets-with-gov-dewine-state-representatives-about-browns-new-dome/

So the mayor of Brookpark is essentially an HSG lobbyist. Wonder if he just doesn't care that he's a useful tool or if he doesn't realize it. Have some pride man.

The lawsuits over the Browns’ Brook Park move is proof of leadership failure -- and it’s costing taxpayers

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/the-lawsuits-over-the-browns-brook-park-move-is-proof-of-leadership-failure-and-it-s-costing-taxpayers/ar-AA1FDXGb?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=cdca480ace8d44edc5979a2023686447&ei=8

Posting this quote here cause it’s 1000% relevant to this situation.

A massive indoor event space next to the airport, surrounded by interstate highways, that hosts large events year round? Must be an economic powerhouse for the region, right?

“Slife said the events at the I-X Center have spurred less economic development in the area than many would expect, since people often drive to events and then drive home. There aren’t many retail or entertainment options near the building.”

cleveland

I-X Center may close again as ‘Fortune 100’ company eyes...

The I-X Center may permanently close now that a “Fortune 100” company wants the building.

Going to the AC/DC concert last week and comparing it to if it was at brook park was a hilarious thought of foot traffic and car traffic after the event

Ohio State Senate announcing its plan to fund Browns’ Brook Park project

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/06/03/ohio-state-senate-announcing-its-plan-fund-browns-brook-park-project/

Ohio Senate proposes to tap into state's unclaimed funds to provide $600M for Cleveland Browns domed stadium in Brook Park

https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/browns/cleveland-browns-domed-stadium-brook-park-ohio-senate-proposal-600-million-unclaimed/95-2c48d4bb-82a9-4672-bf21-13c7819962c8

the articles have different figures. is wkyc the credible one

Forgive me if this has been talked before but if the county does not give any money towards the project, then it is also not responsible for any of the repairs correct?

Browns react to new funding plan for dome

https://fox8.com/news/i-team/i-team-browns-react-to-new-funding-plan-for-dome/

Roadway site layout for proposed $71 million in infrastructure upgrades to the network surrounding the Brook Park development:

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/06/brook-park-seeks-71-million-for-roads-and-more-near-proposed-browns-stadium.html

It appears as though a pedestrian bridge over I-71 to... who knows where, is proposed

One thing worth bringing up i.e Pedestrian Bridge - if they're going to invest in one why isn't it going to Cleveland Hopkins instead of the industrial area across I-71. HUH?!

I will add, with the new CLE RTA station being moved closer to 237, the walking distance from the prop train station walking down to Snow Road, under 237, and to the stadium would be about a mile. I would probably take the red line to the airport in the future and walk that mile to avoid paying for parking, but a ped bridge over 237 seems like the no-brainer move here, not over 71.

4 minutes ago, Geowizical said:

It appears as though a pedestrian bridge over I-71 to... who knows where, is proposed

Proposed parking, if i remember correctly.

Just now, Enginerd said:

Proposed parking, if i remember correctly.

Interesting. I'm guessing proposed parking by others then? There's no parking shown on the HSG master plan on the east side of 71

TL;DR from the paywalled article:

• A TRAC application for the improvements has been officially filed, application will be reviewed over this year

• Max Miller, in his letter of support, noted the roadway enhancements are expected to benefit both the Browns plan but also the Blue Abyss project next to NASA Glenn

• Grace Gallucci's letter to TRAC noted the critical importance of the improvements, but stopped short of a full endorsement of the project's intended goal

• NOACA would need to approve the infrastructure improvements separate from TRAC

• Chris Ronayne opposed to the funding request

• Mayor Orcutt is exploring other funding options for infrastructure improvements if the TRAC request is not granted

16 minutes ago, Geowizical said:

It appears as though a pedestrian bridge over I-71 to... who knows where, is proposed

Hopefully they are not diverting funds from the shore-to-core land bridge downtown for this. LOL

17 minutes ago, Geowizical said:

Interesting. I'm guessing proposed parking by others then? There's no parking shown on the HSG master plan on the east side of 71

Per Cleveland.com:

• Pedestrian access: Improvements for pedestrians along the ring road and construction of a pedestrian bridge to accommodate people parking off-site and walking to the stadium. ($15.5 million)

9 minutes ago, Geowizical said:

TL;DR from the paywalled article:

• A TRAC application for the improvements has been officially filed, application will be reviewed over this year

• Max Miller, in his letter of support, noted the roadway enhancements are expected to benefit both the Browns plan but also the Blue Abyss project next to NASA Glenn

• Grace Gallucci's letter to TRAC noted the critical importance of the improvements, but stopped short of a full endorsement of the project's intended goal

• NOACA would need to approve the infrastructure improvements separate from TRAC

• Chris Ronayne opposed to the funding request

• Mayor Orcutt is exploring other funding options for infrastructure improvements if the TRAC request is not granted

The claim that this impacts Blue Abyss in any meaningful way is ridiculous. I hope at the very least NOACA requires additional pedestrian considerations if they're going to approve this. A pedestrian bridge to the new airport rail station would be a minimum (it looks like it would be less than a quarter mile walk to the stadium over a bridge), but also along Engle, the Ring Rd and Snow would be nice.

Are all those buildings shown to illustrate what the site would look like fully built out over many years? There are 6 residential buildings in that plan. That seems really aggressive. Who do they think will live there? Even if they make the development top notch, they can't change the surrounding area (airport, auto factory, strip clubs, etc.). If I were open to living in a suburban mixed-use development, I'd still think Crocker Park and Pinecrest are more desirable. I'm sure they want to charge top dollar for these units. I guess we'll see what happens...

What we actually get may never match the rendering. It might just be a dome surrounded by a huge parking lot.

5 minutes ago, coneflower said:

Are all those buildings shown to illustrate what the site would look like fully built out over many years? There are 6 residential buildings in that plan. That seems really aggressive. Who do they think will live there? Even if they make the development top notch, they can't change the surrounding area (airport, auto factory, strip clubs, etc.). If I were open to living in a suburban mixed-use development, I'd still think Crocker Park and Pinecrest are more desirable. I'm sure they want to charge top dollar for these units. I guess we'll see what happens...

I may very well end up being wrong, but I just don't see the lifestyle elements of this project ever happening. Or they'll be scaled back significantly.

Yeah at present, the only parts of the project I forsee happening alongside the initial stadium build out are the

• Parking lots

• Team Shop

• Operations building

• Hotel

• "Events space"

• Ped bridge to more parking

Other than that it might be many many phases/years later before any residential and full retail buildout happens

28 minutes ago, MostlyThere14 said:

I may very well end up being wrong, but I just don't see the lifestyle elements of this project ever happening. Or they'll be scaled back significantly.

Your not wrong. This opinion has been expressed regularly on the forum since the project was first announced.

28 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

Your not wrong. This opinion has been expressed regularly on the forum since the project was first announced.

They will blame it on unforeseen economic headwinds.

Remember all the development that was supposed to happen around the Richfield Coliseum? How did that turn out?

It seems like the only thing the Haslams are successful at is pitting Clevelanders against each other.

On 6/5/2025 at 11:03 AM, Geowizical said:

Yeah at present, the only parts of the project I forsee happening alongside the initial stadium build out are the

• Parking lots

• Team Shop

• Operations building

• Hotel

• "Events space"

• Ped bridge to more parking

Other than that it might be many many phases/years later before any residential and full retail buildout happens

Something I have been wondering about and have not seen mentioned yet as it relates to this project, is why would this not be a great option for Dan Gilbert to partner on this and move and build out his casino as part of this project? Would turn the project into a year round attraction which would help with the hotels, retail and dining aspects of the project. Having the casino as part of the stadium development in Brookpark seems like a no brainer to me. Curious to hear thoughts on this.......

^ I believe the casino has to remain at or close to its current location.

38 minutes ago, aJk said:

Something I have been wondering about and have not seen mentioned yet as it relates to this project, is why would this not be a great option for Dan Gilbert to partner on this and move and build out his casino as part of this project? Would turn the project into a year round attraction which would help with the hotels, retail and dining aspects of the project. Having the casino as part of the stadium development in Brookpark seems like a no brainer to me. Curious to hear thoughts on this.......

I feel his hands are full from Detroit and the Riverfront. I would like for him to focus on making that the best thing possible. Now if Blitzer(?) wants to dip his hand in, that would be very welcomed.

1 hour ago, aJk said:

Something I have been wondering about and have not seen mentioned yet as it relates to this project, is why would this not be a great option for Dan Gilbert to partner on this and move and build out his casino as part of this project? Would turn the project into a year round attraction which would help with the hotels, retail and dining aspects of the project. Having the casino as part of the stadium development in Brookpark seems like a no brainer to me. Curious to hear thoughts on this.......

He can’t. The current casino locations are bound to a state constitutional amendment. The only location in the state where one could currently be built is behind Tower City. But it would have to be either considered as an expansion of the current, or relocation of the current one.

didn't he sell his stake in the casino?

2 hours ago, aJk said:

Something I have been wondering about and have not seen mentioned yet as it relates to this project, is why would this not be a great option for Dan Gilbert to partner on this and move and build out his casino as part of this project? Would turn the project into a year round attraction which would help with the hotels, retail and dining aspects of the project. Having the casino as part of the stadium development in Brookpark seems like a no brainer to me. Curious to hear thoughts on this.......

Please, we don't need even more businesses that are downtown removed to the suburbs. Moving the casino from downtown will make the place even more of a ghost town by 7pm

1 hour ago, AsDustinFoxWouldSay said:

Please, we don't need even more businesses that are downtown removed to the suburbs. Moving the casino from downtown will make the place even more of a ghost town by 7pm

It’s not movable.

Ohio Senate passes budget, giving Browns $600M grant, tax cut to wealthy, changes school funding

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/politics/ohio-politics/ohio-senate-passes-budget-giving-browns-600m-grant-tax-cut-to-wealthy-changes-school-funding

As expected. The influential get more, everyone else...less and less so.

This funding should outrage any citizen of Ohio. How is it okay to allocate $600 million to HSG and yet less money is allotted towards education. HSG never considered that Cleveland couldn't afford a multi billion dollar new build nor truly wanted a new stadium. This was forced upon us and sold as a necessary need for the region. This reiterates that politicians do not care about the welfare of the majority and now just cater to the wealthy.

I cant wait for all to realize how much parking and tickets will cost to attend a Cleveland Browns' game in Brook Park.

So who is going to maintain the stadium and its surroundings? Not sure if I missed that in all the back and fourth or what.

59 minutes ago, Mov2Ohio said:

So who is going to maintain the stadium and its surroundings? Not sure if I missed that in all the back and fourth or what.

The City has always maintained it. They own it.

1 hour ago, yanni_gogolak said:

The City has always maintained it. They own it.

I meant the new stadium. Not the one the city owns.

If anyone is interested, this PDF of the City of Brook Park's 2025 ODOT TRAC application for $70 million of public infrastructure improvements is a trove of information:

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/transportation.ohio.gov/trac/2025apps/D12_02_CUYSR2912.90BrookPark.pdf

It is mostly letters of support, but in the interest of transparency here's the list for those who are interested:

TL;DR (with page # references)

• 16 - Project summary and list of benefits

• 17 - Full diagram schematic plan of the proposed roadway improvements

• 26 - HSG will provide $11.3 million in up-front funding for roadway improvements

• 27 - Blue Abyss letter of support

• 29 - Affiliated Construction Trades Ohio Foundation (ACT Ohio) letter of support

• 33 - ODOT received the TRAC application on May 22, 2025

• 37 - Ford Motor Company letter of support

• 38 - GCP letter of support

• 42 - HSG letter of support

• 46 - City of Berea letter of support

• 48 - City of Brook Park letter of support

• 50 - NAIOP letter of support

• 52 - NFL letter of support

• 54 - NOACA letter of acknowledgement

• 55 - Ohio Chamber of Commerce letter of support

• 57-68 - State/US representatives and senators letters of support

• 69 - Estimated construction costs breakdown

40 minutes ago, Geowizical said:

If anyone is interested, this PDF of the City of Brook Park's 2025 ODOT TRAC application for $70 million of public infrastructure improvements is a trove of information:

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/transportation.ohio.gov/trac/2025apps/D12_02_CUYSR2912.90BrookPark.pdf

It is mostly letters of support, but in the interest of transparency here's the list for those who are interested:

TL;DR (with page # references)

• 16 - Project summary and list of benefits

• 17 - Full diagram schematic plan of the proposed roadway improvements

• 26 - HSG will provide $11.3 million in up-front funding for roadway improvements

• 27 - Blue Abyss letter of support

• 29 - Affiliated Construction Trades Ohio Foundation (ACT Ohio) letter of support

• 33 - ODOT received the TRAC application on May 22, 2025

• 37 - Ford Motor Company letter of support

• 38 - GCP letter of support

• 42 - HSG letter of support

• 46 - City of Berea letter of support

• 48 - City of Brook Park letter of support

• 50 - NAIOP letter of support

• 52 - NFL letter of support

• 54 - NOACA letter of acknowledgement

• 55 - Ohio Chamber of Commerce letter of support

• 57-68 - State/US representatives and senators letters of support

• 69 - Estimated construction costs breakdown

Both NOACA and ODOT acknowledged rather than supported. I’m not sure if that’s normal or not but it stuck out to me.

7 minutes ago, Enginerd said:

Both NOACA and ODOT acknowledged rather than supported. I’m not sure if that’s normal or not but it stuck out to me.

NOACA has to prioritize TRAC applications from their area, and ranked GCRTA’s blue/green line request 1st, while not ranking Brook Park’s at all since it hasn’t been studied. It’s hard to be sure of the tone just from a PowerPoint, but NOACA does seem dismissive of this application.

https://www.noaca.org/home/showpublisheddocument/33126

I read it as NOACA is simply not taking a side in the stadium debacle. They state in their letter they support improvements to road infrastructure in the region. What they do or do not support either way (in the interest of neutrality I reckon), is the end goal for making those improvements. Regardless of how you look at it, it's a sizeable proposed development project, and NOACA is one of the regional entities that is tasked with supporting these kinds of things I believe, alongside the local ODOT district office (12).

It looks like all the proposed infrastructure upgrades will only substantively help people get to the new stadium. Not much here to help people leave. Unsurprisingly, this will be a huge backup to get out of here. I wonder if more people will leave games early than do for the downtown stadium?

12 minutes ago, Ethan said:

I wonder if more people will leave games early than do for the downtown stadium?

If the team continues to get worse, I wouldn't be surprised lmao 😜

In the "more humble" sports owners vein, I am currently on the Aer Lingus flight back from Dublin to Cleveland and there's our Guardians owner back in a normal window economy seat with the rest of us. Say what you will about the team, or their own ask/upgrades, but Haslam isn't flying coach for 7 1/2 hours...

Ideastream Public Media

Ohio's pro teams urge lawmakers to approve unclaimed fund...

As lawmakers consider state support for the Cleveland Browns' domed stadium development in Brook Park, Ohio’s other professional sports teams say they strongly support the idea.

And therefore...

Ideastream Public Media

Unclaimed funds claims skyrocketed after GOP Senate annou...

Last week, Ohio Senate leaders said they'd use unclaimed funds to establish and maintain a special fund for a new facility in Brook Park for the Cleveland Browns.

I shared with at least 3 family members, all of whom were applying to receive their funds.

I do hope more do this eat away at the fund before this gets passed.