Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a $60 billion state budget that includes $600 million in public funding for a new enclosed stadium for the Cleveland Browns in Brook Park. The funding comes from unclaimed state funds and is part of a broader $2.4 billion stadium project. The legislation also involved changes to state law to facilitate the funding. The Browns organization, led by the Haslam family, has welcomed the approval and is advancing plans to build the dome stadium. However, the decision has sparked backlash from Cleveland city officials and local residents, who are concerned about the Browns' potential departure from downtown Cleveland. This opposition has led to a class-action lawsuit challenging the use of unclaimed funds, arguing that the state is improperly redirecting private property for the stadium project. Meanwhile, Cleveland officials hope the Haslams will contribute to the demolition costs of the existing downtown stadium. The city of Brook Park is proceeding with plans to develop the new stadium despite legal challenges and community pushback.
The FOX 8 I-Team investigated new roadblocks to stop or slow down plans to build a dome for the Cleveland Browns. https://t.co/AvP2tiEoRG
A $500 million proposal to expand the Bakery Square development in Pittsburgh’s East End is inching forward nearly a year after it earned approval from the Planning Commission. https://t.co/AK0TinKKV4
Cleveland hopes Haslams will help pay for demolition of downtown stadium https://t.co/AHYsmgvwSQ