The Browns are leaving their stadium by the lake. On Thursday, the team officially announced their plans to move from their 25-year-old stadium on Lake Erie when their lease ends in 2028.
They will build a new domed facility in Brook Park, which is 12 miles south of downtown Cleveland, even though the city tried to keep them in Cleveland.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb met with owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam on Wednesday. They told him they are going ahead with their plans for the new $2.4 billion facility and entertainment complex.
The Haslams looked at different possible locations and thought about renovating their current stadium, but they decided that moving was the best choice.
They made this announcement while facing a four-game losing streak and a 1-5 record going into their Sunday home game against Cincinnati.
“We understand this is a complex process with more questions still to be answered and we will continue to communicate openly as our process evolves,” the Haslams said in a statement.
“We recognize our season on the field has not had the start we all hoped for and are working hard to improve each week to make our fans proud.”
“At the same time, it is critical that we remain committed to the best long-term, sustainable solution for our stadium and to providing the world-class dome experience our fans deserve.
We are confident that the Brook Park project will significantly benefit the Northeast Ohio region for generations to come.”
It is still unclear how the project will be funded. The Browns are looking for a public/private partnership and have suggested bonds to pay for the public part.
Last month, the city offered to fund $461 million, sharing the cost with the Browns, to upgrade the current stadium and develop the surrounding area by Lake Erie.
“We’ve learned through our exhaustive work that renovating our current stadium will simply not solve many operational issues and would be a short-term approach,” the Haslams said.
“With more time to reflect, we have also realized that without a dome, we will not attract the type of large-scale events and year-round activity to justify the magnitude of this public-private partnership.
“The transformational economic opportunities created by a dome far outweigh what a renovated stadium could produce with around ten events per year.” Bibb expressed his disappointment that a deal could not be reached.
“As mayor, I will always prioritize the needs of residents and businesses,” Bibb said in a statement. “The Haslem Sports Group may want a roof over their heads, but my responsibility is to ensure that Cleveland residents have a roof over theirs.”
Bibb added that balancing those priorities “requires care and precision” and that the city must be “practical about our many needs and finite resources.”
The Browns have only been in their stadium since 1999, when they returned as an expansion team after owner Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore four years earlier following a disagreement with city officials.
