CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team once again followed the money, and we uncovered a stunning new report on what the stadium for the Cleveland Browns has cost taxpayers.
That shows the city of Cleveland has invested more than half a billion dollars.
This comes to light with a court fight going on over the Browns moving to a dome. The city has gone to Cuyahoga County court to keep the Browns playing on the lakefront. The Browns have gone to federal court to clear the way for them to move to a new dome in Brook Park.
Now, a new report shows the city of Cleveland’s investment reaching $573,420,895.
That involves everything that has gone into the place fans have called home for nearly three decades. It also includes some projections for the next few years.
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The Browns plan to move at the end of their lease after the 2028 season.
Councilman Mike Polensek ordered the new analysis.
“Taxpayers have a right to know what this facility cost us,” he said.
Polensek said he wanted a look at more than the cost of construction. For instance, a look at the cost of repairs, interest paid, insurance and even property taxes.
“Far exceeds the estimates that have been thrown out there. Let’s have an honest, deep-dive discussion of what this cost is,” the councilman said.
Of course, talk of the cost also leads to talk of profit.
Last summer, the I-Team filed a records request trying to get some idea of what comes into the city on Browns game days.
In other words, what comes in from taxes on parking, as well as hotels, bars and restaurants. The city has estimated it collects $900,000 to $1 million a game.
“Why they can’t figure that out is beyond me, but I’m hoping that they will,” Polensek also said.
So, what does all of this mean for building a dome in Brook Park?
No specifics have been announced yet concerning public money for the project, but the mayor of Brook Park told the I-Team this week, he’s convinced his town would be able to help pay for a dome and maintain it using tax money generated by games and events.
“We’ll use every avenue that we have to to be able to pay for the stadium, and to also provide for revenue for the city of Brook Park to operate,” Mayor Ed Orcutt said.
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The new report shows that adding up the cost can depend on who is counting and how.
Expect more calculations to come. Councilman Polensek says he also wants to add up the cost of running water and sewer lines as the stadium was being built.
Meanwhile, as of late Friday, we did not find any new developments on the legal cases over the plans for the Browns move.
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