Cleveland’s Stadium Dilemma: Downtown Or The Suburbs?

If you've been living outside of Cleveland, you’ve probably heard about the Haslam family’s ongoing push to move the Browns out of downtown and into the suburbs—specifically Brook Park, Ohio. They’re seeking $1.2 billion in taxpayer funding to build a brand-new stadium. While this proposal has sparked heated debate, the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials largely oppose the idea.

I’ve lived in other cities, including Buffalo, NY, and Miami, FL, and both stadiums are located outside their respective downtown districts for various reasons, often due to infrastructure limitations that made a downtown build unfeasible. Here in Northeast Ohio, we’re facing a different challenge: slowly becoming an afterthought.

Columbus, for example, has been booming in recent years. I’ve spent a lot of time there, and the difference is striking—cranes in the sky, new buildings going up, a surge in housing developments. Meanwhile, in Cleveland, the absence of strong corporate leadership is evident. That’s the reality we’re dealing with. And on top of that, voter apathy is a serious problem—Cuyahoga County simply isn’t turning out like it used to in election cycles.

I like Mayor Justin Bibb. He brings a fresh perspective, intelligence, and new ideas to the table. However, I also understand the complications of the Art Modell Law and the constraints it puts on any stadium relocation discussion. But let’s think outside the box for a moment. How many times have we heard calls to develop Cleveland’s lakefront along Lake Erie?

Former Mayor Michael White faced major challenges when bringing the NFL back to Cleveland, restoring the Browns' name and colors, and building a new stadium. One of the reasons the current facility wasn’t built with a dome? Funding. At the time, the city was also prioritizing a new convention center and a school levy for Cleveland public schools, which took precedence. We finally got the convention center up and running in July 2014.

Now, let’s look at Brook Park. The city lost much of its manufacturing base when the Ford Motor plant and other industries shut down. Wouldn’t this be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revitalize the area with new infrastructure? A new stadium could mean construction jobs, hotels, shopping, and a major economic boost—just minutes from Cleveland’s border.

That said, let’s be realistic. The Browns only play eight home games a year—more if they ever make the playoffs. Meanwhile, downtown Cleveland continues to thrive with visitors attending Cavaliers and Guardians games, trade shows, meetings at the convention center, and events at Playhouse Square. People are coming downtown in droves. As someone who has worked in the hospitality industry my entire life, I know how important those eight NFL Sundays are for restaurants, bars, and local businesses. But what about the other 357 days of the year?

I’m pro-downtown. I want Cleveland to be vibrant, fun, and safe—a city that attracts people year-round. But at the same time, why not give Brook Park the chance to transform into something new? Ultimately, this decision will require political leadership and corporate backing to propose the right plan. Browns fans have endured years of disappointment and frustration. If taxpayers are being asked to foot a $1.2 billion bill for a new stadium, it has to be done the right way—with their best interests in mind.