https://www.clevescene.com/news/exclusive-rendering-shows-how-cleveland-browns-would-renovate-existing-lakefront-stadium-46583265

It's like begging an ex to take you back. At some point the city and region need to move on and focus on more pressing matters than the usual what ifs and 'transformati[ve]" bulls**t.

They've had almost a CENTURY to do something around Municipal/Browns stadium, and many of those years had significant more financial resources and population to pull something off. We missed the boat.

Turn the stadium into housing like in Indianapolis, stop with the endless suits, let Ohio or another state decide on some boondoggle, and move on.

7 hours ago, KJP said:

Officials urge Haslams to publicly release their Lakefront Stadium renovation plans

By Ken Prendergast / May 7, 2025

After the first image of a renovated Huntington Bank Field on Downtown Cleveland’s lakefront was publicly released today by Scene Magazine, local officials are asking why it and other images weren’t released sooner by the owners of the Cleveland Browns so that the public could have a more informed opinion on which stadium plan to support.

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/05/07/officials-urge-haslams-to-publicly-release-their-lakefront-stadium-renovation-plans/

Article updated with quotes from David Jenkins at Haslam Sports Group.

Great article, @KJP .

The comment from Griffin that the city dropped the ball on lakefront negotiations was a little hint maybe he’s going to run against Bibb? That’s the first time I’ve seen him that directly through the mayor under the bus. I think that hot take is bogus—from the Haslam perspective, your own giant property and free state money would always be more attractive than rehabbing the current stadium.

Releasing that image now is pointless since the decision-making resides with state Republicans. The only argument that seems like it could work with them is “this is a boondoggle that pulls resources from what is important in your community. Hell, you probably cheer for the Steelers or Bengals!” But even then I’m not sure it makes a difference because our state lawmakers never make any decision based on how good it is for voters.

2 hours ago, KJP said:

Article updated with quotes from David Jenkins at Haslam Sports Group.

“It has become increasingly disheartening to see local politicians lobbying against an unprecedented $3+ billion economic development project with substantial State investment in Northeast Ohio that would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for public stakeholders, especially at a time when these very same politicians are speaking of economic hardships and development challenges in this region,” Jenkins said.

Call his bluff. Tell Haslam that we'll endorse the proposal with the state, but he has to guarantee those "hundreds of millions of dollars" in revenue. (And there's no way he's getting Cleveland funds for a development outside of the city, and the County doesn't have any money to give.)

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/05/08/browns-release-leaked-old-rendering-potential-downtown-stadium-renovation/

18 hours ago, TBideon said:

It's like begging an ex to take you back. At some point the city and region need to move on and focus on more pressing matters than the usual what ifs and 'transformati[ve]" bulls**t.

They've had almost a CENTURY to do something around Municipal/Browns stadium, and many of those years had significant more financial resources and population to pull something off. We missed the boat.

Turn the stadium into housing like in Indianapolis, stop with the endless suits, let Ohio or another state decide on some boondoggle, and move on.

Kind of impossible to do when the Haslams are still asking for $600 million in local dollars, not to mention whatever percentage of the state funds are technically from Northeast Ohio.

And, we do need to figure out what is going to happen with the stadium.

Can't really blame all the people in charge now for the failures of their predecessors 35 years ago. This is a problem/issue that needs to solved just like the other pressing issues the region is facing.

This - well, really last year - is the time to investigate totally repurposing the stadium under the assumption the Browns will not play there after the 2028/2029 season: housing, vertical farms, an indoor water park, a new Justice Center, homeless and/or refugee camp, cultural center, hospital, data center -- all ideas should be considered.

All the $1000/hr billables to Jones Day and leaked photos are not changing the owner's intent. City/County can play hardball if the slimeballs can't receive subsidies and crawl back, while soliciting bids for entirely new concepts.

44 minutes ago, TBideon said:

This - well, really last year - is the time to investigate totally repurposing the stadium under the assumption the Browns will not play there after the 2028/2029 season: housing, vertical farms, an indoor water park, a new Justice Center, homeless and/or refugee camp, cultural center, hospital, data center -- all ideas should be considered.

All the $1000/hr billables to Jones Day and leaked photos are not changing the owner's intent. City/County can play hardball if the slimeballs can't receive subsidies and crawl back, while soliciting bids for entirely new concepts.

Why would they make that assumption when that's the opposite of the City and the County's stated goal?

Why would they make the assumption when the Haslam's don't even have all the money they need to make it happen?

The city should be working on what the other land around the stadium should be developed into, but this stadium deal is a huge part of that whether it moves or is renovated in place.

Hard to move forward too far with plans when that big of a piece of the puzzle is not figured out.

Because the city/region shouldn't be held hostage by a bad faith owner who can privately finance a stadium if he chooses. I get no one is happy about the .336 team relocating, but they need to move forward.

And it's not like the stadium was much of an economic incubator there for 95 years as it is.

A repurposed stadium is the only path that makes sense.

Edited May 8May 8 by TBideon

thelyy demo it if tbe browns leave

Perhaps, if they can locate 40 million.

Or use it as an opportunity for something better.

Bibb, Ronayne urge Ohio senators to back Browns stadium renovation over 'risky' Brook Park plan

Joe Scalzo

Cleveland Browns

Huntington Bank Field

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne are urging state senators to reject what they call a “costly and risky” Brook Park stadium proposal in favor of a downtown lakefront overhaul that includes a renovated Huntington Bank Field.

In a letter sent to state senators on Tuesday, May 6, Bibb and Ronayne reiterated their backing for the downtown lakefront stadium project originally proposed by the Haslam Sports Group (HSG) in 2023, calling it a “far more reasonable and responsible one for Ohio taxpayers.”

The letter comes as the Ohio State Senate considers the House version of the state budget, which includes an amendment giving HSG a requested $600 million in bonds for the $2.4 billion enclosed stadium in Brook Park. 

More

Man HSG are really digging in their heels the last week or two about falling back to the Lakefront option. If this fails its coming across like they'll do anything to avoid the status quo.

Latest on money for road projects around Browns dome site

https://fox8.com/news/i-team/i-team-latest-on-money-for-road-projects-around-browns-dome-site/

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with Governor DeWine and others about Browns Stadium in Columbus

https://www.cleveland19.com

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with Governor DeWine...

Roger Goodell met with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Gov. Mike DeWine, and other state leaders on Tuesday to discuss the club’s attempt to get funding for a new domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio.

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/05/13/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-meets-with-governor-dewine-others-about-browns-stadium-columbus/

“All of the conversations have been incredibly positive. Tremendous leadership by the governor and leadership by (the General) Assembly,” Goodell told cleveland.com during a telephone interview between meetings in Columbus.

16 hours ago, simplythis said:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with Governor DeWine and others about Browns Stadium in Columbus

https://www.cleveland19.com

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with Governor DeWine...

Roger Goodell met with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Gov. Mike DeWine, and other state leaders on Tuesday to discuss the club’s attempt to get funding for a new domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio.

The headline writers at Channel 19 could use a grammar lesson. The way the headline is written indicates this is about a stadium in Columbus, which is very deceiving. A more correct and accurate headline would be "NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with Governor DeWine and others in Columbus about Browns Stadium".

If the "Modell Law" is ruled to be enforced how would HSG respond to a move to Brook Park. I wish Roger Goodell would address this rather than support Jimmy and Dee to lobby for their plan

2 hours ago, dave2017 said:

If the "Modell Law" is ruled to be enforced how would HSG respond to a move to Brook Park. I wish Roger Goodell would address this rather than support Jimmy and Dee to lobby for their plan

As far as I can tell, the "Modell Law" is not enforcable in this situation due to the language of the "law" and timeline of the potential move to Brook Park. It's just a giant waste of time and resources from the city trying to prevent the move.

Well this is.... good news?

https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/cleveland-browns-not-relying-county-bond-brook-park-dome

Browns say they'll build Brook Park stadium with or without county funds

2 minutes ago, Geowizical said:

Well this is.... good news?

https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/cleveland-browns-not-relying-county-bond-brook-park-dome

Browns say they'll build Brook Park stadium with or without county funds

I'll believe it when I see it.

I wonder if the carrot/stick in this scenario is covering demo costs of the present stadium and some lakefront development?

A couple quotes:

“To further clear up misinformation, while we have not given up on our elusive goal of local unity, and the upside for the public is far greater with the county’s partnership, we remain undeterred and are not relying on the county’s participation to execute this project,” states the email written by Dave Jenkins, chief operating officer for the Haslam Sports Group.

and

“It is truly disheartening to see you, as County Executive, actively work against a potential $600 million investment from the State that would be paired with $2 billion+ in private investment for an unprecedented $3 billion+ economic development project centrally located in Cuyahoga County,” the emails states.  “These are the types of inexplicable decisions that keep the Greater Cleveland region from thriving, while other regions like Columbus and Cincinnati continue to grow and evolve.”

Next-level willful ignorance here from Dave Jenkins. I Don't really see how "the upside for the public is far greater" if money comes from the County when it could come from the Haslams. And obviously the calculus isn't so simple as a $600 million gift (which it's not) or nothing. That money could be used for something better (and it should be), and Ronayne is probably rightfully dubious about the size of the follow-on investment. He's advocating for a still-substantial investment in the lakefront that would also come with economic development in the county. And of course, why shouldn't he work against state investment when there's a potential the Haslams would pay for it themselves? If they're so committed to this project to do it without county funds, why not see if they'll do it without state funds?

Fantastic news. A good day for Cleveland and Cuyahoga.

21 minutes ago, GISguy said:

I'll believe it when I see it.

I wonder if the carrot/stick in this scenario is covering demo costs of the present stadium and some lakefront development?

Our area reps should have tried to work this into the stadium funding amendment.

Also, is there a world where the city finds a partner for the lakefront stadium to compete for events with the BP dome?

Hopefully the money the county saves from not paying for this can go towards the lakefront plan. Gotta keep that momentum going.

I added a few other nuggets.....

Haslams: stadium project to advance without county

By Ken Prendergast / May 15, 2025

A spokesman for the owner of the Cleveland Browns, the Haslam Sports Group (HSG), told NEOtrans that they have sent a letter today to Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne stating they will move forward without the county’s support, saying they believe building an enclosed stadium in Brook Park is the only long-term stadium solution for the region.

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/05/15/haslams-stadium-project-to-advance-without-county/

On 5/12/2025 at 11:18 PM, simplythis said:

Latest on money for road projects around Browns dome site

https://fox8.com/news/i-team/i-team-latest-on-money-for-road-projects-around-browns-dome-site/

This seems to have been glossed over. Brook Park wants 80m in surrounding road infrastructure. Nothing about sidewalks, street lighting, public safety etc but we all can work out why.

44 minutes ago, acd said:

“These are the types of inexplicable decisions that keep the Greater Cleveland region from thriving, while other regions like Columbus and Cincinnati continue to grow and evolve.”

To borrow a phrase from PGH, what a jagoff. The hubris is astounding.

Sounds like a high school breakup letter lol.

Edited May 15May 15 by GISguy

2 minutes ago, GISguy said:

To borrow a phrase from PGH, what a jagoff. The hubris is astounding.

Its pure horse crap, but I gotta give them credit in some sense for their persistence. I feel like the simpsons episode where the kids nag homer incessantly to take them to mount splashmore and he eventually just gives into them for an easy life. Thats how I'm starting to feel, as much as I despise this project and hate how much it could hurt the region. I'm sick of them, they've worn me down. Its clear they want no part of the city and even if the Governor puts the skids to this (as he should) I am doubting they will come back. Bibb and Ronayne are 100% right in my eyes however to fight the corner and remain diplomatic, if in the end its gets built with no county or city money and more of their own then I suppose it could be worse.

And the second this nonsense is over they need to redirect their focus and start putting the pieces together for a Gateway District development which will blow this absolute joke of a project out of the water.

39 minutes ago, GISguy said:

To borrow a phrase from PGH, what a jagoff. The hubris is astounding.

Sounds like a high school breakup letter lol.

lol I came on here to say Dave Jenkins has the writing style of s 16 year old girl.

Haslam Sports Group to Cuyahoga County: Cleveland Browns domed stadium in Brook Park will proceed with or without you

https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/browns/cleveland-browns-domed-stadium-brook-park-haslam-sports-group-cuyahoga-county-executive-chris-ronayne/95-ad5f0635-d903-421a-aa25-006b3c7d157f

Haslam Sports Group to Cuyahoga County: Cleveland Browns domed stadium in Brook Park will proceed with or without you

https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/browns/cleveland-browns-domed-stadium-brook-park-haslam-sports-group-cuyahoga-county-executive-chris-ronayne/95-ad5f0635-d903-421a-aa25-006b3c7d157f

Wow, the comments from HSG are really petty and sophomoric. It would be hilarious if the county responded with a letter that had a bunch of bullet points about how terrible the Browns team is and how bad a decision Deshaun Watson was.

I actually think this is kind of good news. If HSG wants to build a stadium in Brook Park without county funding, they should do that. It's his money. And if the General Assembly wants to issue a bunch of bonds that are eventually going to require general fund disbursements not to default, well that's their problem.

he should allude to the fact that haslam routinely cons people and steals their money.

Oh it's GREAT news. One less albatross for the taxpayers to subsidize despite no positive ROI or benefit. And hopefully it, along with Kansas City, is indicative that regions are fed up with these grifts.

Now is the time for the city and county to solicit RFPs for the stadium's repurposing.

I'd prefer the stadium to stay downtown, but if we get a new stadium for free, that's great! The situation was much different when HSG wanted local funds, but if that's off the table, I'd support the BP location. Great news.

I couldn't help but notice that the tone of the letter sounded an awful lot like when my 7 year old doesn't get his way! Hahaha.

3 hours ago, acd said:

A couple quotes:

and

Next-level willful ignorance here from Dave Jenkins. I Don't really see how "the upside for the public is far greater" if money comes from the County when it could come from the Haslams. And obviously the calculus isn't so simple as a $600 million gift (which it's not) or nothing. That money could be used for something better (and it should be), and Ronayne is probably rightfully dubious about the size of the follow-on investment. He's advocating for a still-substantial investment in the lakefront that would also come with economic development in the county. And of course, why shouldn't he work against state investment when there's a potential the Haslams would pay for it themselves? If they're so committed to this project to do it without county funds, why not see if they'll do it without state funds?

Lol the arrogance and grifting of these people. Yea, Cinci is growing at a much faster pace the Cleveland because Cuyahoga won't fork over half a billion for a billionare's parking lot venture. I must be ignorant on when Cinci had gotten a similar project built and now seeing growth as a result of it.

2 hours ago, snakebite said:

Its pure horse crap, but I gotta give them credit in some sense for their persistence. I feel like the simpsons episode where the kids nag homer incessantly to take them to mount splashmore and he eventually just gives into them for an easy life. Thats how I'm starting to feel, as much as I despise this project and hate how much it could hurt the region. I'm sick of them, they've worn me down. Its clear they want no part of the city and even if the Governor puts the skids to this (as he should) I am doubting they will come back. Bibb and Ronayne are 100% right in my eyes however to fight the corner and remain diplomatic, if in the end its gets built with no county or city money and more of their own then I suppose it could be worse.

And the second this nonsense is over they need to redirect their focus and start putting the pieces together for a Gateway District development which will blow this absolute joke of a project out of the water.

Fat chance man. Outside of Guardians and Cavs games, Gateway is going to start appearing a hell of alot more desolate once 2029 roles around. You can probably say the same for E4 as well.

2 hours ago, Dino said:

I couldn't help but notice that the tone of the letter sounded an awful lot like when my 7 year old doesn't get his way! Hahaha.

Somewhere, Dan Gilbert is breathing a sigh of relief that there’s finally another contender for most childish letter in Cleveland sports history.

The mention of the jail moving sounds like they’ve been reading Terry Coyne’s posts on LinkedIn where he has argued the county moved more jobs out of Cleveland than the Browns.

Can anyone see any reason why this doesn’t go through? At this point, I can’t. Both houses and governor support. When I saw those new airport renderings, I thought to myself, they are going to be even more committed to being across the street.

29 minutes ago, coneflower said:

The mention of the jail moving sounds like they’ve been reading Terry Coyne’s posts on LinkedIn where he has argued the county moved more jobs out of Cleveland than the Browns.

Can anyone see any reason why this doesn’t go through? At this point, I can’t. Both houses and governor support. When I saw those new airport renderings, I thought to myself, they are going to be even more committed to being across the street.

The Governor supports a dome, but not issuing 600M in bonds to pay for it, big difference.

1 hour ago, Clefan98 said:

The Governor supports a dome, but not issuing 600M in bonds to pay for it, big difference.

I'm just very skeptical that he would have it in him to veto anything.

I still dont get it. If they say they'll go forward without the county's money, is that supposed to motivate the county to still give them the money? What are they trying to gain, show that they really didn't need the money and they were just beeing greedy?

Edited May 16May 16 by MikeyB440

13 hours ago, AsDustinFoxWouldSay said:

Fat chance man. Outside of Guardians and Cavs games, Gateway is going to start appearing a hell of alot more desolate once 2029 roles around. You can probably say the same for E4 as well.

And concerts and other events. Plus there's always basketball or baseball going on, the seasons overlap.

This sounds kind of like "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

I don't like it going to Brookpark and I like what I think are the reasons even less, but it beats the [bleep] out of Austin or St. Louis.

8 hours ago, MikeyB440 said:

I still dont get it. If they say they'll go forward without the county's money, is that supposed to motivate the county to still give them the money? What are they trying to gain, show that they really didn't need the money and they were just beeing greedy?

I was wondering that too. Maybe HSG is just hoping that the county will realize that pushing for money for the existing stadium is a lost cause (since it will have no tenant), and they can work out a deal where the county gives them some financing/infrastructure support for Brook Park (or at least stop fighting it) in exchange for demolition of the current stadium and kickstarting development on the lakefront.

32 minutes ago, E Rocc said:

And concerts and other events. Plus there's always basketball or baseball going on, the seasons overlap.

This sounds kind of like "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

I don't like it going to Brookpark and I like what I think are the reasons even less, but it beats the [bleep] out of Austin or St. Louis.

@dustinfoxwouldsay Just curious, I really don't know. Why will Gateway be desolate in 2029?

Edited May 16May 16 by Jenny
To direct to the proper poster

2 minutes ago, acd said:

I was wondering that too. Maybe HSG is just hoping that the county will realize that pushing for money for the existing stadium is a lost cause (since it will have no tenant), and they can work out a deal where the county gives them some financing/infrastructure support for Brook Park (or at least stop fighting it) in exchange for demolition of the current stadium and kickstarting development on the lakefront.

There is a $20 million cushion in the Sin Tax funding that could be used for demolition of the lakefront stadium. It's probably not enough money, so that's where a Haslam contribution could come in to fill the gap.