Cuyahoga County Rejects Browns' Brook Park Dome Proposal
- Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has pledged not to allocate county funds for a proposed new Browns stadium in Brook Park.
- The owners of the Browns, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, have not provided a detailed financial plan for the stadium's construction, raising concerns about potential public funding.
- Ronayne emphasizes the importance of keeping the Browns downtown due to the existing economic infrastructure and community tradition.
Cleveland, Ohio is currently facing uncertainty regarding the future of the Cleveland Browns as they consider relocating from downtown to a new stadium in Brook Park. Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has firmly stated he will not allocate county funds for such a move, emphasizing the lack of financial justification presented by the team. Despite the Haslams, owners of the Browns, suggesting ambitions for a new $2.4 billion domed stadium, they have provided no specific plans regarding public funding sources needed for its construction. Mayor Justin Bibb also expressed hesitance towards financing options, specifically indicating the city will not contribute funds from existing taxpayer streams. Ronayne has iterated concerns about the financial implications of this potential relocation, given that county resources are already strained by existing commitments to other sports facilities and a new jail project. He aims to keep the Browns in downtown Cleveland, underlining the infrastructure investments made around the current stadium, which includes hotels and restaurants catering to fans. Ronayne's remarks suggest a strong desire to maintain the tradition of the Browns in the downtown area, as he plans to further discuss stadium financing in the near future.