Stadium uncertainty complicates Cleveland lakefront plan
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Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam may soon unveil proposals for a new domed stadium in Brook Park, complicating a lakefront master plan that has been in the works for more than 18 months.
Why it matters: Mayor Justin Bibb and city officials are quick to say the $440 million plan, centered on a dramatic pedestrian "land bridge" connecting downtown malls to the lakefront, can move forward irrespective of the stadium's presence.
The latest: Last week, Bibb offered the Browns $461 million in public funds for stadium renovation, most of which would come from admissions taxes and parking revenue. His letter asked the Haslams to respond by Aug. 12.
State of play: Much of the village-like atmosphere that designers from Field Operations have conceived — with amenities like a boutique hotel, a food hall and commercial development — were designed to complement the stadium.
- When a 60%-complete version of the plan was released last fall, Cleveland planning director Joyce Huang said the city believed a renovated Browns facility would include outward-facing retail and restaurants.
- The city's director of integrated development, Jeff Epstein, confirmed at a forum Monday that the current lakefront master plan — now 90% complete — still includes Browns Stadium.
- "We believe that the Browns belong on Cleveland's North Coast," Epstein said. "There's a rich history, and the vision they painted for us of what they want to see on the lakefront, when combined with [our plans], will be one of the most extraordinary places in the state."
Between the lines: Huang said that if the Browns opt to build a facility in Brook Park, the lakefront planning team will have to re-engage the public.
What they're saying: Bibb hedged in remarks Monday.
- "I know many of us have fond memories and stories of going to Browns games on the lakefront. … I want to make sure we maintain this civic asset, we maintain civic pride, and keep the Browns in the great city of Cleveland," he said.
- "But regardless of whether the Browns stay or not, we will remake our lakefront once and for all."
In the latest iteration of the North Coast master plan, a stretch of the Cleveland Shoreway could be converted from an eight-line highway to a four-lane, 35-mile per hour boulevard with a central median.
- The primary goal is to improve lakefront accessibility for all, and the Shoreway has long been a physical and psychological barrier between downtown and the water.
What's happening: To improve pedestrian friendliness, the exit ramps at West 3rd and East 9th streets would be replaced by four intersections with traffic signals at West 3rd, East 9th, East 15th, and East 18th streets.
- The plan also envisions removing the half-mile ramp on the north edge of the Warehouse District connecting the Shoreway to the Main Avenue Bridge — the scene of a memorable bout in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
- Summit Road would be reconfigured as the new connection.
One fun thing: The land bridge over the Shoreway is designed to be a "dynamic" pedestrian experience, Huang said during Monday's panel.
- Unlike Daniel Burnham's geometric downtown malls, the bridge would be curved, with new views of the lakefront revealed at every step.