{"id":2456,"date":"2025-07-15T11:20:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/?post_type=chapter&p=2456"},"modified":"2025-07-15T11:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:25:00","slug":"18-11-the-browns-new-stadium","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/chapter\/18-11-the-browns-new-stadium\/","title":{"rendered":"18.11 Cleveland Browns Stadium Proposal & Intergovernmental Conflict"},"content":{"raw":"The Cleveland Browns have proposed building a new 65,000+ seat domed stadium in the suburb of Brook Park, about 14 miles from their current lakefront stadium in downtown Cleveland. This ambitious project is estimated to cost around $2.4 billion and is planned as part of a 176-acre mixed-use \u201cstadium district\u201d development near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.\r\n\r\nIn a notable act of intergovernmental collaboration, the Ohio General Assembly and Governor Mike DeWine approved $600 million in state funding to support the Browns\u2019 plan, an amount directly set aside from Ohio\u2019s unclaimed funds reserves (unused funds from dormant accounts and uncashed checks) rather than the general tax revenues. State leaders touted this as a creative way to help finance the stadium without tapping regular taxpayer dollars, framing it as an investment in Ohio\u2019s quality of life and economy.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the City of Brook Park sought approximately $71 million through an Ohio Department of Transportation program to fund new highway ramps and road improvements around the proposed site, showing how local governments petition the state for infrastructure grants to support major projects. Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt has championed the project, calling it \u201ca once-in-a-lifetime opportunity\u201d to transform the city\u2019s economy and position it as a regional destination.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWatch Fox8\u2019s report announcing state funding for the stadium:<\/em>\r\n\r\nURL: https:\/\/fox8.com\/video\/browns-dome-deal-done-new-stadium-ready-by-2029\/10854845\/<\/a>\r\n\r\nDuration: 3:07\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nNotably, the region\u2019s metropolitan planning agency, NOACA, has withheld their initial support for Brook Park\u2019s transportation funding request. They cite that the stadium project wasn\u2019t yet in the area\u2019s long-range plan and needed further traffic study. This indicates that even cooperative efforts must go through planning reviews in intergovernmental bodies.\r\n\r\nLocal Opposition and Legal Challenges<\/em>\r\n\r\nDespite the state\u2019s and Brook Park\u2019s enthusiasm, leaders in the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County quickly voiced strong opposition. This shows us that intergovernmental relations can involve conflict as well as cooperation.\r\n\r\nCleveland officials were alarmed at the prospect of losing the Browns (a major regional asset) to a suburb. Mayor Justin Bibb argued that moving the team would \u201cdivert economic activity from downtown, create a competing entertainment district, and disrupt the momentum of our lakefront redevelopment.\u201d The City of Cleveland even filed a lawsuit in early 2025 to block the relocation, invoking Ohio\u2019s existing \u201cModell Law.\u201d This state law (enacted after the Browns\u2019 1990s relocation saga) was meant to prevent sports teams from leaving an Ohio city if public funds have been used for their facilities, unless certain conditions like advance notice or a chance for locals to buy the team are met. In essence, Cleveland\u2019s leaders argued the Browns, benefitting from city funds, could not simply exit the city without permission.\r\n\r\nHowever, the Ohio legislature responded through the budget bill by amending the Modell Law to explicitly apply only when a team moves out of state, clearing the path for the Browns to relocate within Ohio. This unilateral state action exemplifies tension in state-local relations: a state-level decision overriding a city\u2019s legal tool for self-preservation.\r\n\r\nCuyahoga County leaders likewise opposed the stadium plan, primarily out of concern for regional impacts and financing. County Executive Chris Ronayne (who also chairs the NOACA board) labeled the proposal a \u201cbad idea\u201d and a potential \u201cboondoggle.\u201d He noted that many fans and residents did not want the team to move from downtown. He raised practical concerns that a stadium next to Ohio\u2019s busiest airport could worsen traffic congestion on shared highways and even pose safety or logistical issues for air travel and shipping. In fact, county officials formally requested detailed reviews by ODOT and the Federal Aviation Administration, underscoring how multiple levels of government (local, state, and federal) become involved when large projects have transportation and safety implications.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWatch report on the Cuyahoga County Executive\u2019s concerns about traffic around the airport and his letters to the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration: <\/em>\r\n\r\nYouTubeURL: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tqBw-rW-xAU<\/a>\r\n\r\nDuration: 2:44\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nFurthermore, Ronayne made it clear the county would not commit local funding or bonds toward the Browns\u2019 project. He balked at any expectation that Cuyahoga County help finance another $600 million in stadium costs on top of the state\u2019s contribution. This rift between Brook Park\u2019s development ambitions and broader county priorities illustrates intergovernmental competition: one municipality\u2019s gain can be seen as another\u2019s loss (the City of Cleveland).\r\n\r\nIntergovernmental Relations in Action<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe Browns\u2019 new stadium saga is an example of Ohio\u2019s intergovernmental relations at work.\r\n\r\nOn one hand, it shows cooperation through fiscal support and grants: the state government stepped in to assist a local community (Brook Park) with a massive economic development project by reallocating state-held funds and potentially funding infrastructure upgrades. This kind of state-to-local financial assistance, essentially a large grant or subsidy, is a form of intergovernmental interaction often designed to spur regional growth or keep a valued institution (like an NFL team) in-state.\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, the case also highlights conflict and negotiation in intergovernmental affairs. Different jurisdictions have clashing interests, in this case the suburb hosting the new development versus the central city aiming to retain it.\r\n\r\nThis case the complex layers of intergovernmental relations in Ohio. It involves state lawmakers, multiple city governments, county authorities, regional planning agencies, and even courts, all interacting over issues of funding and development. The case shows both the positive aspects of intergovernmental relations (such as funding partnerships) and the inevitable tensions when governmental units have competing goals. Ultimately, intergovernmental relations encompass not just the flow of grants and resources but also negotiation, compromise, and sometimes conflict between different levels of government.\r\n\r\nReferences\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/news\/funding-plan-for-new-cleveland-browns-stadium-is-unconstitutional-and-unlawful-lawsuit-claims\/\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.enr.com\/articles\/60987-ohio-sets-aside-600m-for-cleveland-browns-24b-stadium-plan\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.news5cleveland.com\/news\/local-news\/ronayne-asks-odot-faa-to-weigh-in-on-traffic-safety-impacts-of-proposed-browns-stadium","rendered":"

The Cleveland Browns have proposed building a new 65,000+ seat domed stadium in the suburb of Brook Park, about 14 miles from their current lakefront stadium in downtown Cleveland. This ambitious project is estimated to cost around $2.4 billion and is planned as part of a 176-acre mixed-use \u201cstadium district\u201d development near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.<\/p>\n

In a notable act of intergovernmental collaboration, the Ohio General Assembly and Governor Mike DeWine approved $600 million in state funding to support the Browns\u2019 plan, an amount directly set aside from Ohio\u2019s unclaimed funds reserves (unused funds from dormant accounts and uncashed checks) rather than the general tax revenues. State leaders touted this as a creative way to help finance the stadium without tapping regular taxpayer dollars, framing it as an investment in Ohio\u2019s quality of life and economy.<\/p>\n

In addition, the City of Brook Park sought approximately $71 million through an Ohio Department of Transportation program to fund new highway ramps and road improvements around the proposed site, showing how local governments petition the state for infrastructure grants to support major projects. Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt has championed the project, calling it \u201ca once-in-a-lifetime opportunity\u201d to transform the city\u2019s economy and position it as a regional destination.<\/p>\n

\n

Watch Fox8\u2019s report announcing state funding for the stadium:<\/em><\/p>\n

URL: https:\/\/fox8.com\/video\/browns-dome-deal-done-new-stadium-ready-by-2029\/10854845\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Duration: 3:07<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Notably, the region\u2019s metropolitan planning agency, NOACA, has withheld their initial support for Brook Park\u2019s transportation funding request. They cite that the stadium project wasn\u2019t yet in the area\u2019s long-range plan and needed further traffic study. This indicates that even cooperative efforts must go through planning reviews in intergovernmental bodies.<\/p>\n

Local Opposition and Legal Challenges<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite the state\u2019s and Brook Park\u2019s enthusiasm, leaders in the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County quickly voiced strong opposition. This shows us that intergovernmental relations can involve conflict as well as cooperation.<\/p>\n

Cleveland officials were alarmed at the prospect of losing the Browns (a major regional asset) to a suburb. Mayor Justin Bibb argued that moving the team would \u201cdivert economic activity from downtown, create a competing entertainment district, and disrupt the momentum of our lakefront redevelopment.\u201d The City of Cleveland even filed a lawsuit in early 2025 to block the relocation, invoking Ohio\u2019s existing \u201cModell Law.\u201d This state law (enacted after the Browns\u2019 1990s relocation saga) was meant to prevent sports teams from leaving an Ohio city if public funds have been used for their facilities, unless certain conditions like advance notice or a chance for locals to buy the team are met. In essence, Cleveland\u2019s leaders argued the Browns, benefitting from city funds, could not simply exit the city without permission.<\/p>\n

However, the Ohio legislature responded through the budget bill by amending the Modell Law to explicitly apply only when a team moves out of state, clearing the path for the Browns to relocate within Ohio. This unilateral state action exemplifies tension in state-local relations: a state-level decision overriding a city\u2019s legal tool for self-preservation.<\/p>\n

Cuyahoga County leaders likewise opposed the stadium plan, primarily out of concern for regional impacts and financing. County Executive Chris Ronayne (who also chairs the NOACA board) labeled the proposal a \u201cbad idea\u201d and a potential \u201cboondoggle.\u201d He noted that many fans and residents did not want the team to move from downtown. He raised practical concerns that a stadium next to Ohio\u2019s busiest airport could worsen traffic congestion on shared highways and even pose safety or logistical issues for air travel and shipping. In fact, county officials formally requested detailed reviews by ODOT and the Federal Aviation Administration, underscoring how multiple levels of government (local, state, and federal) become involved when large projects have transportation and safety implications.<\/p>\n

\n

Watch report on the Cuyahoga County Executive\u2019s concerns about traffic around the airport and his letters to the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration: <\/em><\/p>\n

YouTubeURL: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tqBw-rW-xAU<\/a><\/p>\n

Duration: 2:44<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Furthermore, Ronayne made it clear the county would not commit local funding or bonds toward the Browns\u2019 project. He balked at any expectation that Cuyahoga County help finance another $600 million in stadium costs on top of the state\u2019s contribution. This rift between Brook Park\u2019s development ambitions and broader county priorities illustrates intergovernmental competition: one municipality\u2019s gain can be seen as another\u2019s loss (the City of Cleveland).<\/p>\n

Intergovernmental Relations in Action<\/em><\/p>\n

The Browns\u2019 new stadium saga is an example of Ohio\u2019s intergovernmental relations at work.<\/p>\n

On one hand, it shows cooperation through fiscal support and grants: the state government stepped in to assist a local community (Brook Park) with a massive economic development project by reallocating state-held funds and potentially funding infrastructure upgrades. This kind of state-to-local financial assistance, essentially a large grant or subsidy, is a form of intergovernmental interaction often designed to spur regional growth or keep a valued institution (like an NFL team) in-state.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the case also highlights conflict and negotiation in intergovernmental affairs. Different jurisdictions have clashing interests, in this case the suburb hosting the new development versus the central city aiming to retain it.<\/p>\n

This case the complex layers of intergovernmental relations in Ohio. It involves state lawmakers, multiple city governments, county authorities, regional planning agencies, and even courts, all interacting over issues of funding and development. The case shows both the positive aspects of intergovernmental relations (such as funding partnerships) and the inevitable tensions when governmental units have competing goals. Ultimately, intergovernmental relations encompass not just the flow of grants and resources but also negotiation, compromise, and sometimes conflict between different levels of government.<\/p>\n

References<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/news\/funding-plan-for-new-cleveland-browns-stadium-is-unconstitutional-and-unlawful-lawsuit-claims\/<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.enr.com\/articles\/60987-ohio-sets-aside-600m-for-cleveland-browns-24b-stadium-plan<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.news5cleveland.com\/news\/local-news\/ronayne-asks-odot-faa-to-weigh-in-on-traffic-safety-impacts-of-proposed-browns-stadium<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":406,"menu_order":11,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-2456","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":444,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/406"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2460,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2456\/revisions\/2460"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/444"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2456\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=2456"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=2456"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=2456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}