WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024 |
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Last month, cleveland.com and Plain Dealer Editor Chris Quinn called it a chess match — the negotiations between the Browns and the city of Cleveland over how to pay for an estimated $1 billion renovation of the lakefront football stadium. This week, Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam made a public move when they announced they’re considering building a $2 billion domed stadium in Brook Park on 176 acres that once housed two Ford plants. They want a meeting with Northeast Ohio state representatives and senators to discuss how to pay for it. Other teams have moved, of course. Out of the NFL’s 32 teams, 20 play outside their home city. But is it really feasible to create an entertainment district surrounding a stadium that’s used 10 days a year? And is parking really that big a deal? No matter the Haslams’ strategy, it’s giving Browns fans something to obsess over in the off-season. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Calmer conditions expected |
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Cleveland Browns Stadium opened in 1999. (John Pana, cleveland.com) |
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Sin tax: If Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are using the Brook Park option as a negotiation tactic to squeeze more public subsidies out of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, it’s worth noting that one stream of possible taxpayer funding wouldn’t necessarily follow the Browns from Cleveland to Brook Park: the sin tax. Courtney Astolfi reports that if the Browns ditch Cleveland and move to Brook Park, there’s no guarantee that the current sin tax proceeds could be used on a new facility. Browns parking: Among the benefits that Jimmy and Dee Haslam say would come with moving the Browns to a domed stadium in Brook Park is better access to parking. Zachary Smith examines the claim. Suburban move: The Cleveland Browns moving downtown for the suburbs would bearare but not unheard of move in the NFL. As the Chicago Bears have shown recently, even buying land in a suburb doesn’t make a move a forgone conclusion, reports Sean McDonnell. Cuyahoga bridges: Could a bridge catastrophe occur in Cuyahoga County, like the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsing in Maryland? No, report Cory Shaffer and Laura Hancock. While there are more than 300 bridges in Greater Cleveland, including dozens in and around downtown, none of the supports are in the Cuyahoga River. Today in Ohio: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is once again facing charges in the ever expanding state and federal bribery cases surrounding the passage of House Bill 6. We’re talking about the newest charges, that he unlawfully used campaign funds to pay his criminal defense fees and lied on state ethics forms, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Statehouse help: The Browns’ top lobbyist is setting up meetings with state lawmakers from Northeast Ohio next month to discuss potential state funding for a new or renovated stadium, reports Jeremy Pelzer. It’s not yet clear how much, if anything, the Browns will seek from the state to either help build a domed stadium in Brook Park or to renovate the existing Cleveland Browns Stadium along the lakefront. Referendum lawsuit: The Ohio Supreme Court has declined to fast-track a lawsuit from a group trying to force Attorney General Dave Yost to let them proceed with their ballot issue campaign. Andrew Tobias reports that if approved by voters, the ballot issue would make it easier for citizens to sue police for using excessive force. Transgender lawsuit: Two Ohio transgender girls and their parents sued the state on Tuesday over House Bill 68, a new state law that takes effect next month banning children under age 18 from obtaining gender-affirming care. Laura Hancock reports the lawsuit was filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court by the American Civil Liberties Union and global law firm of Goodwin on behalf of the Franklin County girls. The suit says both girls are 12 years old, transgender and have gender-dysphoria diagnoses. Pharmacy judgment: Major pharmacy chains argued Tuesday that the Ohio Supreme Court should say state law doesn’t allow the $650 million judgment awarded to Lake and Trumbull counties to abate a public nuisance of widespread drug addiction the pharmacies helped create. Jake Zuckerman reports the counties drove the lawsuit on a legal theory that the defendants created a “public nuisance” by, in part, cultivating an opioid crisis. |
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New jail: Cuyahoga County Council is moving forward with a $33.4 million contract for a new jail site, Lucas Daprile reports. Cuyahoga County Council’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday approved two pieces of legislation related to the Cuyahoga County Central Services Campus, which will house various services in addition to the jail. If the legislation is approved by County Council meeting, it will have one more reading before becoming final. This could happen as soon as early April. Training center: Several years of collaboration between the public sector and private businesses in Cleveland jelled into a groundswell of momentum that moved the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center closer to reality on Tuesday. Marc Bona reports officials unveiled renderings of the center, which will be located in the shadow of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland. The 210,000-square-foot facility is slated to be one of the world’s largest training facilities. Housing prices: A recent study done by Clever, a company that helps match people with real estate agents, found that since 2000, Cleveland has had the lowest increase in median homes price - 78% - among the 50 largest metro areas in the country, Megan Sims reports. The study also found Ohio had the fifth lowest increase of any state in the same 23-year timeframe. Housing Q&A: Efforts to improve affordable housing are the focus of the newly released book "Housing the Nation: Social Equity, Architecture, and the Future of Affordable Housing," a collection of expert essays edited by Alexander Gorlin and Victoria Newhouse. Lucas Daprile asks the experts about how to solve the problem and whether land banks can help. Forest preservation: Landowners in Ohio with a wood lot of 30 acres or more can also make money by managing their resources in a sustainable fashion. Peter Krouse reports the Family Forest Carbon Program arrived in Ohio earlier this month and is providing landowners the chance to receive cash payments over a 20-year period if they agree to limit the harvesting of their trees. |
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Health rankings: Cuyahoga County’s health is below average when compared to other U.S. and Ohio counties, including many of those regionally, according to the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps 2024 National Findings Report. Julie Washington reports four surrounding counties - Lake, Medina, Portage and Geauga - are achieving above-average health outcomes. Heart study: According to a study by researchers at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, people with heart disease fare better when their mental health is also being looked after, reports Gretchen Cuda Kroen. The study found that treating anxiety and depression significantly reduced emergency room visits and rehospitalizations among people with heart disease. |
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Gun sales: A Cleveland man who made thousands of dollars by buying and selling guns used in shootings and homicides said little on Tuesday as a federal judge sentenced him to more than 11 years in prison, reports Adam Ferrise. Kenneth Smith, 23, apologized for selling 32 guns to undercover federal agents in less than three weeks, netting $24,000. The guns had been used in 30 shootings, including several homicides. Walton Hills body: Officials are investigating a homicide in Walton Hills after a body was found in a yard Monday morning, Molly Walsh reports. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to a home in the 17300 block of Sagamore Road at about 9:30 a.m. Monday after the discovery. Puppy stolen: A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted an 18-year-old Cleveland man accused of stealing a puppy from a Parma pet store earlier this month. Markeze Williams has been charged with tampering with evidence and theft, both felonies, reports Molly Walsh. |
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Rock Hall vote: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has opened up the Fan Vote for the 2024 inductee class, Malcolm X Abram reports. The 15 nominees are Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Eric B & Rakim, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Jane’s Addiction, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinead O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne, Sade, and A Tribe Called Quest. The closing date for the fan ballot is April 15. Ask Yadi: When is it OK to go elsewhere for major holidays and how can we get our family to understand? Yadi Rodriguez says that as adults, we need to make the decision that is best for us. Goat derby: Wear your best derby hat and drink mint juleps at the 11th Goat Derby at Winery at Wolf Creek. Paris Wolfe reports the winery will “race” three to four goats in three separate races to raise both fun and funds. Restaurant week: Sixteen local restaurants are participating in Chardon Restaurant Week, April 15-21, reports Paris Wolfe. They are scattered around the town square and as far away as Brown Barn Tavern on Mayfield Road. Watson restaurant: Ohio’s first Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks Hoagies & Grill is set to open in University Heights with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson as one of the owners. Marc Bona reports the opening is planned for 12:30 p.m. April 4. Toast: The West Side of Cleveland is losing another culinary gem as Toast CLE has announced it will permanently close its doors next month, reports Alex Darus. Toast was first opened in the Gordon Square neighborhood in 2013 by Jill Davis, focused on utilizing locally sourced fresh ingredients and showcasing unique wines. MGM concert: Class of 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and rock 'n’ roll couple Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are returning to the Center Stage at MGM Northfield on July 10, reports Malcolm X Abram. Easter baskets: It’s less than one week until Easter, which means it’s time to hunker down to buy all of the candy, chocolate and goodies to fill baskets for those you love. Alex Darus writes that a way to elevate a simple Easter basket is by sourcing candy from local chocolatiers and candy shops for a more personalized experience. |
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South Euclid police say officer shot suspect at Oakwood Commons Read more Cleveland man dies 2 days after shooting near Public Square Read more Motorcyclist dies in crash on I-77 in Summit County Read more Shaker Heights Councilman Tres Roeder announces resignation, effective mid-May Read more Shaker receives $523,000 grant for regional start-up of its Mental Health Response Program Read more Akron approves $815M operating budget; plans to increase police, fire/EMS staffing Read more Medina City Council makes preparations for courthouse project Read more Broadview Heights expected to place tax renewal for police salaries on November ballot Read more Shaker council sets stage for mobile middle school classrooms, streetlight assessment hike Read more South Euclid council prepares for the coming of adult recreational marijuana sales Read more |
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