The Cleveland Browns took a big, albeit “unofficial,” step toward their new Brook Park stadium on Monday, starting the massive excavation and digging of holes for the enclosed stadium.
Although construction work has begun on the new Huntington Bank Stadium, the team won’t hold the official groundbreaking ceremony and the pomp and circumstance that comes with it until April 30.
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Team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam hailed the big day as “another exciting milestone” for the project, which will see the Browns depart from downtown Cleveland, where they have played since their first season in 1946, about 14 miles from the suburb of Brook Park.
Monday’s work is the latest step toward what will eventually be a 67,500-seat enclosed stadium for the Browns, with surrounding development expected to include shopping malls, restaurants and offices.
The Haslam family said in a statement released by the team that this is part of their commitment to investing in Northeast Ohio:
“We are excited to continue investing not only in this stadium project and mixed-use development, but in Northeast Ohio. This is more than just a stadium, and we believe that by committing more than $2 billion in private investment, we will be part of creating a transformative, world-class experience for our community and have a significant economic impact through construction, jobs and future year-round events. Northeast Ohio deserves this and we are committed to continuing to invest in the growth of our region. This is an important step in our project and we look forward to the official groundbreaking on April 30.”
All told, the stadium project is expected to cost about $2.4 million, with Ohio providing $600 million, the city of Brook Park $300 million and Haslam Sports Group $1.5 million, covering any cost overruns. Development around the stadium is expected to cost $1 billion and will be privately financed.
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In a statement released by the same team, Brook Park Mayor Ed Orcutt expressed his excitement for the project:
“Today’s milestone is a testament to the positive working partnership we have developed with HSG over the past 18-plus months, and we are excited about the work that has already begun. We are proud that Brook Park is home to Northeast Ohio’s largest construction project to date, and we can’t wait to welcome all visitors and economic activity to our city when this world-class stadium and development opens in 2029.”
There are still issues to be ironed out, though, most notably a lawsuit challenging state officials’ plan to withdraw $600 million from the state’s unclaimed funds account; Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne grumbling that he wants the Browns to stay downtown; and working with Brook Park officials on the details of the site’s ownership structure.
But with the team’s lease at the downtown stadium expiring after the 2028 season and work underway at Brook Park, the Browns will likely continue down this path, with more than half the league’s teams expected to be playing in domed stadiums within a few years.
