Well, basically every caller (including County Commissioner Hagan) has said that public money should not be spent on this...the people won't go for it...corporate welfare...what about the schools...etc.etc.etc.  Every time, the three respondents have said, "we're just talking about what's possible and we don't want to use any public funds."  They think that financing it will be the "easiest" part.  So, what's the problem?  If it's going to be paid for with private money, then what's the debate?  Well, like they said, this is the beginning of the discussion and we need to make sure along the way that no public dollars are spent on this project.  If it's so easy, then let's push it forward and see the benefits at no additional cost to the people of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.  That's basically what I got out of the conversation...

Well, basically every caller (including County Commissioner Hagan) has said that public money should not be spent on this...the people won't go for it...corporate welfare...what about the schools...etc.etc.etc.  Every time, the three respondents have said, "we're just talking about what's possible and we don't want to use any public funds."  They think that financing it will be the "easiest" part.  So, what's the problem?  If it's going to be paid for with private money, then what's the debate?  Well, like they said, this is the beginning of the discussion and we need to make sure along the way that no public dollars are spent on this project.  If it's so easy, then let's push it forward and see the benefits at no additional cost to the people of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.  That's basically what I got out of the conversation...

 

We should build a dome over the schools! ;)

how about a dome of wifi?  wait, he have that!  still, I like the way you think wimwar...

 

We should build a dome over the schools! ;) 

 

lovie.....Don't forget about the olympic sized pool and polo grounds!  No school is complete without country club sports!

here is a link to the audio from the broadcast this morning.  i still think the best point being brought up is that the stadium is not used for anything now, regardless of the weather. 

 

http://www.wcpn.org/podcast/audio/2006/05/0517nine.mp3

 

this project needs to be thought about and tied into a decision of the fate of the old convention center and the ix center at the airport.

 

if they decide to renovate the old cc, best choice imo, then covering the stadium is a plan worth looking into as the two can be tied together. and let's not forget or minimize that a spinoff of that choice is that it would speed the closing of the ix center and airport expansion plans.

 

if forest city and tc gets a brand new cc instead, then i dk if this scheme has legs. it still might. its worth looking into as an option, esp if the big picture of the ix/airport is in the mix.

 

 

 

One of the things I like about Corna is his knowledege and use of building materials that are not mainstream. Stonebridge will use a lighter-steel constuction which is vey cool. The proposed stadium roof would be made of a material call Foiltec. The more I think about this project, I agree it should be done. This could be a good time for Cleveland over the next 5-10 years. Hopefully the new mayor has the same vision for this city that we all share.

Check out this link on Foiltec it is very cool stuff. http://www.vector-foiltec.com/vector.htm

[move]***Overheard at the end of the Planning Commission Meeting***[/move]

 

Steve Litt was at the meeting. Tom Breckenridge introduced him to Corna.

As I was leaving, Steve told congratulated him and told him before he moves much more on promoting this, he should find out if any proposed towers holding up the retractable roof will fall within the glide path of Burke.

 

I just though that was interesting, and diffidently something that needs to be considered since the flight path is why the R&R Hall of Fame, and the new wind turbine at the GLSC are the heights they are.

Oh, looky there.

It's actually used a tad bit more then ten times a year. :-P

 

From the PD

Tonight: U.S. vs. Venezuela

Friday, May 26, 2006

 

Where/When: Cleveland Browns Stadium, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30 p.m.

 

Tickets: Available, ranging from $20 to $150.

 

TV: ESPN2

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, looky there.

It's actually used a tad bit more then ten times a year. :-P

 

From the PD

Tonight: U.S. vs. Venezuela

Friday, May 26, 2006

 

Where/When: Cleveland Browns Stadium, 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30 p.m.

 

Tickets: Available, ranging from $20 to $150.

 

TV: ESPN2

 

 

 

musky nice scoop, but i was going to say the same thing about your use of "the crawl feature" in your post above that one -- its actually used more than ten times a year! lol!

[glow=red,2,300][shadow=green,left]What about this one?[/shadow][/glow]

 

Actually, I'm still learning how a lot of these little extras work.

I could probably just go through the help/beginners section for that, but I like the trial and error method.

 

My 8yr old son is going to the soccer game tonight with his grandparents. I tried to get him to take the camera, but he did not want to.

From the Sun News' KJP - thank you for your work.

 

Anybody have suggestions on who specifically should be on the committee?

 

Committee may study stadium lid

Thursday, June 01, 2006

By Ken Prendergast

Brooklyn Sun Journal

 

CLEVELAND _ A study committee may be formed soon to review the merits of putting a retractable roof on Cleveland Browns Stadium. At its last meeting, Cleveland City Council's Planning Committee recommended creating the study group, likely to be comprised of city, county and Browns representatives.

 

The committee would identify costs of adding the roof and look at the viability of revenue sources to cover the cost. A preliminary cost of $70 million to $90 million was estimated by developer and architect Bob Corna. He is advocating the retractable roof along with a number of council persons, led by Ward 11's Mike Polensek.

 

Corna said some unconventional revenue sources should be considered, such as using a dot-matrix advertising overlay on the roof, large enough to be seen from a hovering blimp. The material could be similar to those that wrap buses in an advertisement while allowing passengers to see out the covered windows.

 

Additional events at a year-round stadium would generate more revenues from concessions, parking and admissions taxes. Another is naming rights. Corna referred to Citizens Bank recently agreeing to pay $95 million over 25 years for naming rights to the Philadelphia Phillies' baseball park.

 

That could pay for the roof right there, he said.

 

Corna also noted that increased loge and season ticket prices, if additional events are included as part of the package, might be feasible. There are 270 loges at Browns Stadium, costing about $170,000 per year. If that were increased by $10,000 each, or $2.7 million total, that could leverage a $40 million construction bond.

 

What is it worth to that ticket holder if you guarantee a Super Bowl and an NCAA final? Corna asked. There could be other events included. It's not just about football. In the loges, each of these companies could hold catered business meetings. Imagine 270 meeting spaces.

 

He said a decision whether to put a retractable roof on the stadium could influence where the convention center will be in the future. The existing convention center is across the Shoreway and lakefront tracks from the stadium. One city proposal would expand it northward, above the highway and tracks, to near the stadium. The other location being considered is a new site at Tower City Center.

 

A design issue to be considered is whether towers needed to support the retractable roof would be too tall for planes approaching Burke Lakefront Airport. Corna said he suspects it won't be a problem, but said the clearance issue will be looked at by the study group.

Anyone wanna bet if there is actually any retractable roof construction going on when this game happens?

 

OSU football to play in Cleveland in '09

 

10:21 a.m.

 

From staff reports

 

Ohio State and Toledo have signed an agreement to play a football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2009.

 

OSU athletic director Gene Smith said today that the Buckeyes and Toledo are locked in on a two-game series. The second game will be held in Columbus in 2011, Smith said.

 

The last time Ohio State played a game in Cleveland was 1991, when the Buckeyes stopped Northwestern, 34-3, at Municipal Stadium.

 

Smith is in Cleveland today to announce the start of a men’s basketball series with Cleveland State that will start in the 2007-08 season.

 

[email protected]

I'll bet that it never happens....sorry

^the osu-toledo game or the roof?

 

if you mean the roof i agree. i think eventually forest city is going to get a new cc on their tc area property and that will put an end to it.

 

too bad, i'd prefer the old cc get renovated and the stadium roof given consideration.

 

we'll see, but don't hold your breath nothing will be decided anytime soon.

 

from today's PD...

 

Don't count on the grand idea of a retractable roof on Cleveland Browns Stadium becoming a reality. Maureen Harper, communications director for Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, said the mayor has no intention of forming an exploratory committee to examine the feasibility, an idea championed by Councilman Mike Polensek. Council President Martin J. Sweeney said he, too, had no plans to form an exploratory committee for council.

 

...IDIOTS

Sounds like Forest City Enterprises is asserting itself.

It's disappointing that he closed this idea down without discussion.  It was more disappointing when he closed down the idea of the Southern Alignment for the Innerbelt before the independent study of the alignment that ODOT promised us was done.  I don't really know how I feel about Jackson at this point.  I don't like his planning related decisions. I'll be pissed if the CC ends up at Tower City.  That will be a horrible location for it.

92.3 is reporting that Jimmy is bringing in three firms to look at putting a dome on the stadium

92.3 is reporting that Jimmy is bringing in three firms to look at putting a dome on the stadium

I am not for the dome concept at all.  We have the Wolstein Center, The Q, and the new CC/Public Hall.  Let's face it, the dome isn't for football, rather to host concert events etc in the rain and winter months.  We need to accept the fact we put CBS on a valuable piece of Lakefront property, and we need to live with that and concentrate developing the land around it.  If anything, a dome would make more sense on Jacobs Field, however taht's for a different thread.   

92.3 is reporting that Jimmy is bringing in three firms to look at putting a dome on the stadium

 

Whoa. That could CBS into a year-round facility for much more than just football -- and dramatically expand the potential uses of the MM/CC ......if the pedestrian link/multi-modal transportation center were built.

 

This was the Robert Corna proposal:

 

 

We need to accept the fact we put CBS on a valuable piece of Lakefront property, and we need to live with that and concentrate developing the land around it.

 

Don't you think you just made the case for putting a lid on CBS? It's valuable lakefront property that gets used only about a dozen times a year (10 football games + a couple of concerts). Thus it is unused the other 353 days of the year. How do we improve the chances of developing the land around it when there's this mostly unused monument next to it? An obvious answer is you more bodies with wallets into that mostly unused monument and its surrounding area. How? You put a lid on it.

 

And why do we have to live with anything manmade? We live with the fact Cleveland is on Lake Erie. We live with the fact that bedrock is 200 feet below us. We live with the fact it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. But everything manmade can be changed when there is the will to change it.

 

If we don't enclose it, then let's please demolish this damn albatross which blocks more worthwhile development from the lakefront. Put it where the county proposed to put Art Modell's Browns more than 20 years ago.....

 

I LOVE the dome idea. Its stupid that CBS doesn't have one, at least a retractable one.

Well if this is the case then he does have more money than God...would really like to see him spending his bags of money on other lake front projects rather than doming the stadium.

I used to be completely against the dome idea, but have since changed my mind.  I think a dome could really expand the appeal of Cleveland as a city to host large events. 

I know this topic is really old, but with the new ownership taking over the Browns, it seems that talks of putting a dome on the stadium have been revived a bit.  Today Haslem met with city officials and one of the issues brought up was the idea of putting a roof on the stadium.  Also apparently three architect firms will be brought in to discuss the feasibility.

 

Has anyone's opinion changed on this?  I vaguely recall being opposed to the idea when I first heard about it a few years ago, but now that I'm thinking about it again I think I'd like to see this happen.

I know this topic is really old, but with the new ownership taking over the Browns, it seems that talks of putting a dome on the stadium have been revived a bit.  Today Haslem met with city officials and one of the issues brought up was the idea of putting a roof on the stadium.  Also apparently three architect firms will be brought in to discuss the feasibility.

 

Has anyone's opinion changed on this?  I vaguely recall being opposed to the idea when I first heard about it a few years ago, but now that I'm thinking about it again I think I'd like to see this happen.

 

You and your .... questions!  You should change your name to "The Questionator" or something like that!

 

I only want a roof if it's retractable.  Football is a fall/winter sport and should be played no matter the elements.  Leave it open for sports, unless its truly bad and close for events, conferences and seminars.  If putting a roof on helps bring in conventions than im all for it.

If someone wants to pay for it, I'm all for it. If we're talking about taxing the county residents again, then no, I don't support it. We're paying for enough right now. At some point everyone reaches their limit, and I've reached mine.

KJP, this was also revived in another thread, can the threads be combined?  Just so we don't have duplicate questions/answers.  :angel:

 

This discussion is probably more appropriate in this thread:  Cleveland: Adding a Roof to Browns Stadium

 

If someone wants to pay for it, I'm all for it. If we're talking about taxing the county residents again, then no, I don't support it. We're paying for enough right now. At some point everyone reaches their limit, and I've reached mine.

Agreed.

Well if this is the case then he does have more money than God...would really like to see him spending his bags of money on other lake front projects rather than doming the stadium.

 

I think putting a lid on CBS would stimulate development of the surrounding properties.

 

I used to be completely against the dome idea, but have since changed my mind.  I think a dome could really expand the appeal of Cleveland as a city to host large events. 

 

If CBS gets a roof, then I think this creates a need for a convention-sized hotel.

KJP, this was also revived in another thread, can the threads be combined?  Just so we don't have duplicate questions/answers.  :angel:

 

This discussion is probably more appropriate in this thread:  Cleveland: Adding a Roof to Browns Stadium

 

 

Done.

 

More. The guy sure knows how to make news, promote discussion/debate and keep the Browns name in front of the public......

 

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam talks stadium dome with Cleveland City Council

Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 11:00 AM    Updated: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 1:11 PM

  By Harlan Spector, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, when asked about constructing a retractable dome on Browns Stadium during a meet-and-greet session with Cleveland City Council this morning, said he will be bringing in architects for ideas on enhancements at the city-owned stadium.

 

Haslam said he wants the city to get more use out of the facility.

 

"Anything that helps us do that. . . we're certainly going to take a look at it," he said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/09/browns_owner_jimmy_haslam_meet.html

This would be an excuse for people to call you guys a bunch of sissies. Cleveland fans get a lot of respect for their willingness to put up with the weather.

Well if this is the case then he does have more money than God...would really like to see him spending his bags of money on other lake front projects rather than doming the stadium.

 

he never said HE would pay for the dome

It does have to be retractable, IMO, which is what I forgot to mention.

 

The city also needs more hotel space so we can land big-time events like political conventions, the Final Four, and, dare I say it...the Super Bowl.

The Corna proposal always looked so cool.

 

I'm all for this, it makes so much sense. But I don't ever want to see the Browns play with the roof closed. I love the blizzards! That's Browns football, and I don't want to see the local team turn into the scared-of-the-cold Vikings or Lions. Unlike Vikings or Lions fans, the fans in Cleveland will support this team despite the weather.

 

p.s. "Retractable roof" is a much better sell than "dome" which is a term that still has tons of negative connotations.

I think we're all for retractable.  It offers the best of both worlds and give the stadium a chance to compete for more events or create events for the size.  Link it with the new convention center, add some hotels and we're cooking with grease!

This would be an excuse for people to call you guys a bunch of sissies. Cleveland fans get a lot of respect for their willingness to put up with the weather.

 

I don't care what they call us, unless it's vibrant, jobs-rich or growing.

 

 

he never said HE would pay for the dome

 

I smell stadium naming rights coming. Oops, spoke too soon....

 

Jimmy Haslam Confirms He Plans On Selling Browns Stadium Naming Rights

by Jose Romero • Sep 19, 2012 11:41 AM CDT

 

Prepare yourselves, Browns fans -- your beloved Cleveland Browns  Stadium is going to have a new sponsor-dictated name at some point.

 

New owner Jimmy Haslam said as much before, and he reiterated it on Wednesday. It should happen after this season, Haslam said in a radio interview.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/9/19/3357942/cleveland-browns-stadium-naming-rights-jimmy-haslam

 

 

 

How much money could naming rights bring? Here is a list of stadiums that sold naming rights and how much money they bring in per year and for how long (click and scroll over the header to reveal what each column title is).......

 

http://espn.go.com/sportsbusiness/s/stadiumnames.html

 

So for example, Bank of America Stadium will pay $140 million over the 20 years of its deal. Lucas Oil will pay $122 million over 20 years. But Heinz paid only $57 million over 20 years. So it is possible the naming rights could pay most, if not all of the cost of adding a roof to the stadium.

 

http://football.ballparks.com/

^ Naming rights... there ya go, another idea that just makes too much financial sense to ignore.

 

The Fan 92.3 is ground zero for this discussion. Baskin or Phelps (sorry i can't tell their voices apart) responding to some fans who think it's a waste of money:

 

"If you think this roof proposal is only about Browns football, you're living in the stone age. It's bigger than that. This is a move toward bringing Cleveland back onto the world stage."

 

I like this comment!  Both of these guys are very passionate.

I always liked the idea as long as it it retractable.  Fact is, I just never understood how its minimal use durign the year justified the maintenance costs.  Putting on a roof would open up the venue for larger concerts that can't fit into the Q or Wolstein, and which promoters tend to shy away from booking here due to the potential catastrophe of a rainout.  I could also see it being tied into CC and spurring development not only on the port's land to the north, but also increasing the need for more routine waterfront line service and other forms of public transportation heading to that part of downtown

^ Naming rights... there ya go, another idea that just makes too much financial sense to ignore.

 

The Fan 92.3 is ground zero for this discussion. Baskin or Phelps (sorry i can't tell their voices apart) responding to some fans who think it's a waste of money:

 

"If you think this roof proposal is only about Browns football, you're living in the stone age. It's bigger than that. This is a move toward bringing Cleveland back onto the world stage."

 

I like this comment!  Both of these guys are very passionate.

 

Baskin and Phelps have a great show.  And they've been trumpeting this issue for some time now (though as recently as last week they were discussing because this became news again).

I really prefer football be played in the weather, but if it can bring greater use to the building the other 355 days of the year and it can be paid for with naming rights, go for it.

^Agree with everyones assessments.  Put a sliding lid on that stadium.  Leave it open for all browns games (with exception of blizzards like Buffalo circa 2007)  I, for one, would like to play in those conditions, but if fans are staying home because of it and the only points being scored are safetys and Phil Dawson field goals that he has to kick 30 feet to the right in order for it to blow through...then close the roof.

 

On the other hand, seal that thing up and let Dave Gilbert do his magic to get Final Fours, Superbowls, etc. here.  If the Super Bowl will go to Indianapolis and Detroit they sure as hell will come here.  Conventions are nice, and maybe we could score a college bowl game?  Haslem looooves his college football.

Once you put a retractable roof on that thing it's going to be closed for all inclement weather. Even if the static portions of the roof cover much of the spectator areas the first time the season ticket holders of the high end seats are rained on (falling or blown) when they could have avoided it by closing the roof it's never going to be open to weather again.

 

Also, there is no chance Haslam is going to front the bill for the roof even with naming rights money. It's just not logical to expend an asset he has complete control over (naming rights money) in exchange for an asset that he will be a joint beneficiary of (a retractable roof). Even if the naming rights could cover the cost of the roof, which is not likely he's going to hit us up for all the repairs and upgrades his teams can think of in order to come out sunny side up on the other end; just like any other interaction of a professional sports team and a city/county.

Well, why isn't the stadium used more in warm weather months? 

Will putting a roof on it make it more viable all year?

 

I guess my point is, what kind of events do you need a stadium for, that an arena or convention center can't provide.

From the PD article

Haslam said he wants the city to get more use out of the facility. "Anything that helps us do that. . . we're certainly going to take a look at it," he said.

 

 

I think people are jumping to conclusions that he means a dome.  I would expect a hotel and maybe some entertainment venues, connected to the stadium.

Well, why isn't the stadium used more in warm weather months? 

Will putting a roof on it make it more viable all year?

 

I guess my point is, what kind of events do you need a stadium for, that an arena or convention center can't provide.

From the PD article

Haslam said he wants the city to get more use out of the facility. "Anything that helps us do that. . . we're certainly going to take a look at it," he said.

 

 

I think people are jumping to conclusions that he means a dome.  I would expect a hotel and maybe some entertainment venues, connected to the stadium.

 

Honey Boo Boo (you are in the South). We're all just speculating.  I'm sure he's going to the move to maximize the value of his product (the Browns).  The more people I can keep coming downtown to a browns related facility is more money in his pocket.  I also have a sneaky suspicion he would like to see the East Bank continue to the lake front.

 

This picture says, "develop me, now"

 

@CleveChiNola, what events do you need a stadium for that an arena or convention center can't provide? Plenty.

 

Superbowl

NCAA Championship Game

Wrestlemania

Certain major concerts.

Could help attract an RNC or a DNC.

 

Like someone said earlier, this is about reintroducing Cleveland to the world stage. Period.

 

The fact of the matter is a stadium without a dome will NEVER, EVER get as much use as a stadium with a dome. Common sense. Could we use it more during the summer months? Yeah. But even then, everyone's not crazy about having an event in a place exposed to the rain. OR if its too hot. Its not just about the snow. Its about the elements in general, which is always more extreme close to the lake.

 

Haslam is NOT talking about a hotel or entertainment venue. He's talking about a dome. His answer was in direct response to a question about a dome. He said in August that he's interested in lakefront development so that may come down the line, but make no mistake, Haslam was talking about exploring the possibility of a ROOF.

Even during the warmer months, the option of closing off the stadium to the elements is a necessity for certain events.  Promoters who book large concerts really fret about scheduling something in CBS because they lose their shirt if the concert has to be cancelled.  I imagine exhibits face the same dilema.

You know, upon hearing some more about this from various people, I think Haslam was trying to placate Councilman Polensek, long an advocate of adding a roof to the stadium. Haslam was joined by Browns legal counsel Fred Nance who surely prepped him for Polensek's question. It doesn't mean he won't consider it, but it wasn't an issue until today.......

 

Consider MKC's Aug. 30, 2012 interview of Haslam:

 

On if he’s contemplated putting a dome on the stadium: “We have not. We have spent some time at the stadium. We’ll have three really well-known stadium architects walk through. I do think there’s some enhancements for the fans that need to be done. What, I don’t know. The scoreboard is the obvious thing to look at. We want to give our fans a great venue.”

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/08/exclusive_interview_new_browns.html

Well if this is the case then he does have more money than God...would really like to see him spending his bags of money on other lake front projects rather than doming the stadium.

 

I think putting a lid on CBS would stimulate development of the surrounding properties.

 

I used to be completely against the dome idea, but have since changed my mind.  I think a dome could really expand the appeal of Cleveland as a city to host large events. 

 

If CBS gets a roof, then I think this creates a need for a convention-sized hotel.

 

Stadiums are good for sporting events but not for all but the biggest of convention events.  I would hope someone would do a cost analysis on this, or that the new ownership has the firepower to be guaranteed a big event like the Superbowl or Final Four.

Not to go too off topic, but the NCAA is contemplating not holding final fours inside of stadiums anymore.  I know its only one event and isnt a deal breaker, but just stating current public knowledge of the Final Four.