They've been working through the night for some time now. Secondly, the temporary C of O will be Thursday. The expectation is that most work will be complete by the first regular season game. It will be done.

From the interview I heard with the brass yesterday on 92.3, this is is just the first wave of numerous renovations that are on the way.

 

Also, the person interviewed (can't remember who it was exactly) mentioned a few times that the stadium was "sterile" ha ha.

How ironic that it's shaped like the state of Tennessee! #JimmyHaslamState

How ironic that it's shaped like the state of Tennessee! #JimmyHaslamState

 

Also ironic: the seating is the same color as Jimmy Haslam's face.

^ha, thats good

 

Also ironic: the seating is the same color as Jimmy Haslam's face.

 

Looked more red than orange last night:

 

 

Although not a part of the renovations the city announced yesterday it will be closing the pedestrian bridge that leads from the mall to the stadium indefinitely. Whatever that means.  They want to funnel everyone up W3rd. Does this mean they are very confident they will find the funds to complete the proposed 'new' bridge? If it's not going to be used I hope it is demolished soon.  It's definitely nothing to look at.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2014/08/new_cleveland_browns_tailgatin.html

How ironic that it's shaped like the state of Tennessee! #JimmyHaslamState

 

I prefer to think the shape is the bow of a boat

Although not a part of the renovations the city announced yesterday it will be closing the pedestrian bridge that leads from the mall to the stadium indefinitely. Whatever that means.  They want to funnel everyone up W3rd. Does this mean they are very confident they will find the funds to complete the proposed 'new' bridge? If it's not going to be used I hope it is demolished soon.  It's definitely nothing to look at.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2014/08/new_cleveland_browns_tailgatin.html

 

Do you mean replacing the existing pedestrian bridge or the new, $25 million, fully funded pedestrian bridge linking the malls and convention center with North Coast Harbor?

^You're saying it's fully funded. I though they were still short from not getting the TIGER?

 

OK, 10 from the city,10 from the county, 5 from the state. I was thinking they needed 30...guess not.

Cost of the walkway itself is $25 million. All funding is in hand. But I don't think this walkway is terribly convenient for Browns fans. It's farther east than the existing walkway and, midway down the new walkway, it will make a right-angle jog even farther east, farther from the stadium. Better to hike down to West 3rd if you're stadium-bound.

Couple of videos from WKYC about FirstEnergy renovation. Including the lifting of a Ford truck into the stadium. Browns indicate all major construction will be complete by the wkd. Judging from the webcams looks like a lot of finish work still needs to be done. I suspect that will go into the next couple of weeks.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/story/sports/nfl/browns/2014/08/20/browns-ford-lift/14371503/

 

http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/local/cuyahoga-county/2014/08/19/changes-for-browns-game-on-saturday/14320057/

Here a few pictures I took from the game last night. I wish I took more, and I wish they were better quality. I'm a big fan of the new deck above the Dawg Pound. Overall, the stadium has a much cooler feel to it.

 

 

 

I was at yesterday's game, my first at the newly renovated FES. I think they did a great job. The place looked and felt like a new stadium. The scoreboards were great. The sound system was great. And yes, the crowd seemed a lot louder. Here I am with my sister at the game yesterday:

 

 

 

Browns Town bar.

 

Browns stadium club lounge.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/12192014/121814_DRAC_agenda.pdf

 

Downtown/Flats Design Review District

Agenda

December 18, 2014 9:30AM

City Hall Room 514, 601 Lakeside Avenue

 

DF2014-121 – First Energy Stadium Renovations Phase 2*

Project Address: 100 Alfred Lerner Way

Project Representative: Don Williams, Gensler

*This project is scheduled for City Planning Commission on December 19th, 2014.

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/12192014/index.php

 

link has photo gallery

Browns win City Planning Commission approval for Phase II improvements at FirstEnergy Stadium

By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer

on December 19, 2014 at 4:38 PM, updated December 21, 2014 at 8:25 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After fumbling over an incomplete design presentation that frustrated some members of a city review committee Thursday, the Browns won approval from the Cleveland City Planning Commission on Friday for a $50 million upgrade to FirstEnergy Stadium.

 

The commission voted 6-0 to approve plans authored by the respected architecture firm of Gensler, which will primarily address the interior of the stadium.

 

The 68,000-seat facility, originally designed by HOK Sport Facilities Group in Kansas City, Missouri, now known as Populous, was completed in 1999 at a cost of $282.5 million, or roughly $400 million in 2014 dollars. Nearly 75 percent of the original construction was publicly funded.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2014/12/browns_win_approval_for_phase.html

Some phase ll stuff on CPC.

I still can't get over the new dog/dawg logo

For some reason I dig the brown with the orange pants as well as the orange jersey.

Random thought, but imagine how popular the waterfront line would be if the Browns stadium was domed, true fumble right there no pun intended. Also are the adding an awning of some sort? Is that what I'm seeing?

Random thought, but imagine how popular the waterfront line would be if the Browns stadium was domed, true fumble right there no pun intended. Also are the adding an awning of some sort? Is that what I'm seeing?

 

I'm not following.  So the 143 people who ride it every day can see a domed stadium?

^Probably means the stadium could be used much more often, thus the rail station and line serving the area would be used a lot more.

I still can't get over the new dog/dawg logo

 

It's childlike. Like "Snarly" should be the name.

^Probably means the stadium could be used much more often, thus the rail station and line serving the area would be used a lot more.

That is exactly what i mean, so many people would pack the train to attend those events if there were more events that could be held there. This is especially true because of the trains close proximity to the stadium. I compare it to people catching the train to Tower city for the Q due to the convenience of the stadium being connected. This is a pipe dream though, and has been discussed in length so it's not important.

^Probably means the stadium could be used much more often, thus the rail station and line serving the area would be used a lot more.

That is exactly what i mean, so many people would pack the train to attend those events if there were more events that could be held there. This is especially true because of the trains close proximity to the stadium. I compare it to people catching the train to Tower city for the Q due to the convenience of the stadium being connected. This is a pipe dream though, and has been discussed in length so it's not important.

 

This has been thoroughly discussed upthread, about the viability of a enclosed stadium as an additional venue.  As evidence, I always look to Lucas Oil Field in Indy, a similar sized market, geography etc.  Their stadium is connected directly to the convention center, so gets quite a bit of "spillover business," where they simply open the building to an event, but the stadium is not really being utilized.  For example, see the Deanna Adkins/Eric Wollenhaupt Wedding Reception coming up on their calendar:  http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/upcoming-events.aspx. 

 

I suppose we could have weddings and barmitzvah's in our stadium, but in actuality First Energy Stadium already hosts such events, in the dining spaces on the club level.

Wollenhaupt is a bear of a name to take on. 

Wollenhaupt is a bear of a name to take on. 

 

Right?  But homeboy must have loot.  Probably not cheap to rent out a stadium for your wedding reception. 

Wollenhaupt is a bear of a name to take on. 

 

Right?  But homeboy must have loot.  Probably not cheap to rent out a stadium for your wedding reception. 

 

More likely her folks do....

Video and story here too:

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/07/video_cleveland_browns_show_of.html

 

Cleveland Browns unveil progress of FirstEnergy Stadium Phase II renovations

Posted Jul 23, 2015

Kevin Jones

Staff Writer

@Mr_KevinJones Facebook

Revamped venue ready for Dawg Pound on Aug. 13

 

Cleveland Browns team president Alec Scheiner on Thursday gave ClevelandBrowns.com a comprehensive tour of the club’s ongoing renovations at FirstEnergy Stadium.

 

Announced in Nov. 2013, Phase II of the two-year modernization primarily focuses on the interior and exterior design of the stadium and concourses, and it’s nearing completion.

 

In extensive surveys and meetings with fans, Scheiner and team owner Jimmy Haslam concluded FirstEnergy Stadium should reflect the city of Cleveland.

 

MORE:

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Cleveland-Browns-unveil-progress-of-FirstEnergy-Stadium-Phase-II-renovations-/5e7fa847-9a26-46d8-a9ea-347a41b84a81

Ever wonder why more non-Browns events aren't held at FirstEnergy Stadium?

https://t.co/dZy9LWFmFl

concerts no longer are the draw they used to be. Plus, it is not that Cleveland is competing with Columbus and Cincinnati and Pittsburgh for concerts, but they are also competing with Cleveland for the large acts too.  Artists like U2 have a choice on where they want to play in Cleveland. Is it more profitable to play 3 shows in Quicken Loan arena, or they could also play a show at Progressive too when the Indians are out of town. I know Paul McCartney played a show a few years back at Great American in August when the Reds were out of town.  So First Energy is not the only game in town either anymore.

 

 

 

 

City-run venues are historically bad at attracting shows because they don't have the freedom to wheel-and-deal with promoters on rent, concessions sharing, rebates, and the like.

 

If you factor the CITY OF CLEVELAND into this, well, just imagine that nothing happens quickly and outside the lines of the jobs of those in charge.  Leaders like Frank Jackson will not help the cause either, unless you want to put a show on at a dirt track.  :-P

At least CLE sold out the U2 show in only a few days...and while it's been 2 months since being announced (like Cleveland) the Pittsburgh show still has availability.

 

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170907/blogs06/134641/firstenergy-stadium-now-equipped-intels-freed-technology

 

A 2017 addition you might not notice at first is something that could add a Jabrill Peppers-sized pop to the viewing experience. FES is one of 11 stadiums that has been equipped with Intel's freeD technology.

 

The Browns' 18-year-old home has been equipped with 38 5K ultra-high-definition cameras that Intel says will "capture the greatest plays from every angle and create enhanced 360-degree highlights and immersive player perspectives."

 

If you're at the stadium on game day, that means better replays and closer views of the on-field action.

 

If you're among the many watching the game from home (or a bar), you can access and share the freeD technology via NFL.com, the NFL Mobile app, the league's YouTube channel and by checking out the Browns' digital offerings.

 

 

 

Downtown/Flats Design Review Case Report

 

FIRST ENERGY STADIUM MINOR REPAIRS

 

Back Return to Case List | Start Over | Print Report (PDF format)

 

Project Information

 

Downtown/Flats Case #  DF 2018-024

 

Address: 100 Alfred Lerner Way

Company: City of Cleveland Division of Architecture

Architect: Osborn Engineering/Western Specialty

Description:

Demolish and replace existing pedestrian ramps. Demolish and replace expansion joints. Foundation waterproofing membrane west side. Misc. crack repair and painting.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/brd/detailDR.php?ID=2727&CASE=DF%202018-024

Browns begin study of downtown development that could include new stadium

Pat McManamon

ESPN Staff Writer

May 3, 2018 9:00 AM ET

 

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have begun long-term discussions about a development project that could include a substantially renovated stadium or a new facility at a different site in downtown Cleveland.

 

"We’re excited for the opportunity to be part of the conversation about downtown re-development," owner Dee Haslam said. "We should be part of the conversation in a bigger way, and I think we will be."

 

Speaking in her office at the team’s facility, Haslam said that she and the team are in the earliest stages of learning everything they can about a project that could take a decade or more before it comes to fruition.

 

MORE:

http://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/25432/browns-begin-study-of-downtown-development-that-could-include-new-stadium

They need to focus on putting together a winning team first...They just did renovations and have plenty of developable land already around them. We need to crawl before we run...

They need to focus on putting together a winning team first...They just did renovations and have plenty of developable land already around them. We need to crawl before we run...

 

The Browns lease at FES ends in a decade. It will take that long to put together the funding and construct a new stadium. Whatever your feelings for the Browns, a stadium doesn't belong on the lakefront. A multi-purpose, retractable roof facility needs to be built on the former Norfolk Southern intermodal yards, over the Rapid transit lines (with a station, of course), on the south side of the Inner Belt freeway.

Unlike ballparks and arenas, a football stadium's use is limited to (at best) 15-20 events per year, and even those events are just incentives to leave seas of parking around the stadium.  Even though that is the case in Cleveland, we actually have one of the best-connected stadiums in the NFL with some spillover to Warehouse District, East 9th and downtown hotels.

 

I'd welcome some additional development around Browns stadium, but i'm skeptical that A) a football stadium can help "anchor" anything, and B) that lakefront development can be successful without resolving the Shoreway issue.

The problem with adding a roof (other than cost and losing your team's local character), is that there is no guarantee it would actually make the facility more useful. There are so many NFL-sized indoor venues now that competing for events with established northern venues in Detroit, Indy and Minneapolis would be no slam dunk.

Cleveland has demonstrated that we can compete with other cities. We need to think bigger and stop with the losing mentality. If it’s me, I’d move the stadium to the land across from Progressive Field and The Q, where it should’ve been had Art Modell not vetoed it from the get go. But it HAS to have a retractable roof. There’s no value to building a new football stadium without the retractable roof

The development comes from eliminating the stadium from the lakefront. It's a stadium that, because of its design, is limited in its use. The existing stadium restrains the utility of our lakefront.

 

But a stadium by itself doesn't preclude greater use, unless its design is hurried and faulty like ours. Cleveland had only four years to get a stadium funded and built. We got a piece of crap in a bad location as a result. It's time rectify that mistake.

Unlike ballparks and arenas, a football stadium's use is limited to (at best) 15-20 events per year, and even those events are just incentives to leave seas of parking around the stadium.  Even though that is the case in Cleveland, we actually have one of the best-connected stadiums in the NFL with some spillover to Warehouse District, East 9th and downtown hotels.

 

I'd welcome some additional development around Browns stadium, but i'm skeptical that A) a football stadium can help "anchor" anything, and B) that lakefront development can be successful without resolving the Shoreway issue.

The problem with adding a roof (other than cost and losing your team's local character), is that there is no guarantee it would actually make the facility more useful. There are so many NFL-sized indoor venues now that competing for events with established northern venues in Detroit, Indy and Minneapolis would be no slam dunk.

 

I think it’s safe to say a roof on the stadium would absolutely make the facility more useful, as the examples you’ve pointed out have shown.

The development comes from eliminating the stadium from the lakefront. It's a stadium that, because of its design, is limited in its use. The existing stadium restrains the utility of our lakefront.

 

But a stadium by itself doesn't preclude greater use, unless its design is hurried and faulty like ours. Cleveland had only four years to get a stadium funded and built. We got a piece of crap in a bad location as a result. It's time rectify that mistake.

 

Completely agree

There is nothing we need less than a new Browns stadium, a billion dollar albatross that is used 10 times a year. By their very nature, a football stadium is an awful anchor for additional development. Their size limit the number of non-football uses, so they are always empty. And their typical use requires massive amounts of parking. Even with a lid it's usage will be limited compared to the Q.

 

The lack of use is why we have to get this poorly designed stadium off the lakefront. It's why a facility of this type needs to be moved to south of the Inner Belt. This was one of two competing plans in 1995. But that visionary Mayor White overruled his planning director Hunter Morrison (who wanted it at the NS Intermodal yards -- which continue to be vacant) because Mayor White wanted to get a football team back in Cleveland with no delay. The lakefront site already had all of the utilities necessary for a stadium.

 

BTW, football stadiums are used well when they're designed to multiple purposes and managed competently. See the number of upcoming events at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis: http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/

If they're not behind prison bars by then, Dee and her husband can go pay for a f'ing stadium on their own if they want something shiny and with a roof. The city got screwed by the prior stadium deal in so many ways that it's laughable and insulting to even approach this topic at this point, especially with how this expansion team has performed.

What should happen is that the existing sales tax that paid for the stadium should be renewed when it expires and used to pay for transit.  The Haslams should pay for the stadium on their own.

The lack of use is why we have to get this poorly designed stadium off the lakefront. It's why a facility of this type needs to be moved to south of the Inner Belt. This was one of two competing plans in 1995. But that visionary Mayor White overruled his planning director Hunter Morrison (who wanted it at the NS Intermodal yards -- which continue to be vacant) because Mayor White wanted to get a football team back in Cleveland with no delay. The lakefront site already had all of the utilities necessary for a stadium.

 

BTW, football stadiums are used well when they're designed to multiple purposes and managed competently. See the number of upcoming events at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis: http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/

 

OMG they have the Ben Davis high school prom??? What have we been missing out on in Cleveland??    ;) ;D

 

But seriously.  Large scale stadium events are few and far between.  The stadium in Indy does well because it's part of the convention complex.  If positioned properly in Cleveland to work in conjunction with and compliment Quicken Loans Arena, it could be a formidable player.

Indy’s football stadium is not connected to the convention center. The former RCA Dome was, but Lucas Oil is a bit outside of downtown.