6 days ago
I-Team: Browns' offer to city before moving to dome
CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has found what hasn't been revealed before about the Cleveland Browns moving to a dome.
It comes on the day the city took a big step toward building something new on the lakefront.
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The I-Team has learned the Browns have offered to do more than simply move out of their current stadium on the lakefront, leaving the city with an empty building.
The Browns plan to move to a dome in Brook Park in 2029.
But the Browns told us on Tuesday they've had 'direct discussions' with the mayor and his office 'on numerous occasions regarding our willingness to assist with the demolition of the current stadium.'
Yet, the Browns said they were put off by the city.
Last week, the I-Team caught up with Mayor Justin Bibb. At that time, he spoke about developing the lakefront, though he didn't talk about trying to keep the Browns or speak about getting offers from them.
The Browns also said two months ago that the mayor had told them he wanted to wait before responding to their offer to help 'transform the lakefront.'
Way back in March, we asked about any talks like this. In March, the mayor said, 'No conversations have reached us yet on that point — not yet.'
Then in May, the mayor sat in the conference room at FOX 8. He didn't directly address offers or demands concerning the stadium if the Browns leave. Instead, he used phrases like, 'the Browns must do the right thing. The city can't be left empty handed.'
On Tuesday, the city issued a formal request, asking for developers to pitch ideas on reworking the lakefront — no matter what happens with the Browns.
'We have up to 50 acres of really fun, incredible real estate available,' said Jessica Trivisonno, senor advisor for major projects.
Scott Skinner, executive director of the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, said, 'It means we're looking for partners who share in our vision for developing the lakefront with a stadium, without a stadium, with an adapted reuse of the stadium, or a demolished stadium on the site as well.'
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The Browns plan to move to a dome after their lakefront lease runs out.
But a statement from team spokesman Peter John-Baptiste said, 'We have always been willing to continue to invest in Cleveland and our region but it requires collaboration from all parties to arrive at the optimal solution. We remain ready to have those conversations with the mayor when he's willing and we are hopeful that begins soon.'
We've reached out to the mayor's office for comment.
In the meantime, the city wants a Cuyahoga County judge to stop the Browns from even planning to leave. The Browns are fighting back in federal court.
Transforming the lakefront is expected to take many, many years to complete.
City spokesperson Tyler Sinclair issued a statement about the first steps, saying in an email:
'The cost of the North Coast Connector — which includes the land bridge and Shoreway conversion (i.e. from W. 3rd Street to just east of E. 9th Street) — is estimated at $284 million and is already fully funded through federal/state grants and local sources. Of that $284 million, the cost of the land bridge is approximately $145 million, again fully funded, with groundbreaking scheduled for 2027.'
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