The Ohio Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) has approved a construction permit for the Cleveland Browns’ planned $2.4-billion dome stadium on a 176-acre site in suburban Brook Park near Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, reversing an August decision denying the permit because the structure exceeded the height limit by 58 ft. at its highest point.
ODOT said it conducted a comprehensive review of the plans for the National Football League (NFL) franchise’s stadium plan, including a detailed analysis by a third-party aviation consultant and additional information provided by the Cleveland Dept. of Port Control and Clyde & Co., attorneys for the franchise owner Haslam Sports Group (HSG), leading it to issue a waiver of obstruction standards.
“The independent third-party consultant determined that, based on all information, construction of the proposed building would not change current flight operations at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport,” ODOT stated in a news release. “Applying sound aeronautical principles, the consultant found that the proposed stadium would have no adverse effect on the safety and efficient use of the aeronautical environment and recommended approval of the issuance of a permit with waiver of obstruction standards.”
“All along our goal has been to ensure that all concerns were heard and addressed, and a resolution could be found,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn.
“We respect both the comprehensive work that the FAA did to determine that our stadium project poses no hazard to the surrounding area and ODOT’s diligent process to confirm these findings,” said David Jenkins, president of the HSG, in a statement. “Safety is of paramount importance to all of us and was at the forefront of our detailed and deliberate process with our FAA consultants, whom we engaged with well before our architects began designing the stadium.”
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, who opposes the Cleveland Browns’ bid to move the franchise out of downtown Cleveland into the new stadium that it will call Huntington Bank Field, was not happy with ODOT’s decision and questioned the transparency of it.
“No hearing. Behind closed doors. All of a sudden there’s a different outcome. I think it stinks,” he said.
The airport also issued a statement opposing ODOT’s decision.
“While we respect ODOT’s decision, its reversal does not change our position: development matters, but not if it comes at the expense of the airport’s safe, efficient and reliable operations. We remain open to collaboration and dialogue with our partners to ensure growth benefits the region while always prioritizing safety.”
In July, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a law allowing the Browns to secure $600 million in state funds toward construction of the domed stadium that would be about 14 miles from the team’s current location on Cleveland’s lakefront campus that also includes the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The architect for the 65,000- to 70,000-seat domed stadium is HKS. The lead contractor is M.A. Mortenson. Plans call for it have a surrounding mixed-used entertainment district with such uses as retail, hotels, residential units and office space.
The team hopes to begin construction in 2026.
