Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are deep in government negotiations for what to do with the 25-year-old lakefront stadium, floating a $1 billion refresh or new $2.4 billion dome in Brook Park. They’ve been vague on details, but want a 50-50 split between themselves and the public. The goal: “Innovative funding mechanisms with local, county and state officials that would leverage the fiscal impact of the project and the unprecedented private contribution to support the public investment and generate a substantial return for Brook Park, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio.” The trouble is, experts say the return is not worth the investment. Despite the accepted natural fact that a stadium generates economic development, research does not back that up. Yet cities are locked in an arms race to keep building better facilities to keep their beloved teams. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Huntington Bank Field opened in 1999. Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are proposing at least $1 billion in upgrades if the team doesn't build a dome in Brook Park. (John Pana, cleveland.com file photo) |
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Stadium subsidies: Experts say three decades’ worth of economic research shows that large government subsidies for professional sports venues are not worth it, reports Courtney Astolfi. They never come close to generating the economic returns that are used to justify the public’s contribution of hundreds of millions of dollars. Redistricting: Michigan’s redistricting plan took away the power to draw the state’s congressional and legislative maps from Republican elected officials and gave them to a newly created board divided among Democrats, Republicans, and independents – similar, though not identical, to the plan Ohioans will vote on this fall. Jeremy Pelzer reports that it hasn’t been a smooth process and Michigan’s experience can offer insights into both what Ohioans can expect to happen if this year’s redistricting measure passes and what lessons they can learn. Birding: Birding is a big deal in Northeast Ohio, with legions of binocular-toting fanatics stalking an elusive shorebird or migrating warbler. One major hotspot to pursue their passion is the diverse habitat along Lake Erie around Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, reports Peter Krouse. A wide beach and sand dunes, marshes, forests and fields nestle close to each other, providing a perfect waystation for migrating birds that need to rest and refuel. |
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School report cards: Ohio released its annual school and school district report cards on Friday, offering the latest glimpse into the post-pandemic educational recovery. Laura Hancock reports schools and districts are rated on a system of one through five stars, in half-star increments. The report cards evaluate performance on Ohio’s State Tests, the standardized tests that students took last spring. Bernie Moreno: An aide to Republican Bernie Moreno’s U.S. Senate campaign has resigned following an incident earlier this month. Police body-camera video published Friday showed campaign adviser Colton Henson swearing at and being confrontational with police, who multiple times threatened to arrest him, reports Andrew Tobias. Anti-immigration rhetoric: For a second straight day last week, threats have led to evacuations for buildings in Springfield, Ohio. Jake Zuckerman reports the city manager’s office confirmed Friday that the schools closed because of bomb threats, as they and other buildings throughout Clark County did Thursday in response to similar threats. In addition, Sabrina Eaton reports that President Biden called for a stop to attacks on Haitian immigrants during remarks he made at an event held at the White House. |
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Property taxes: Cuyahoga County Council's Budget and Finance Committee met last week to discuss options for reducing property tax bills for residents. Potential options to suppress some of the taxes owed to the county and keep more money in the pockets of homeowners could mean savings of around $44 per $100,000 of home value for taxpayers but a loss of up to $12 million for the county, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Transit police complaints: The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s Civilian Oversight Committee, which investigates complaints against transit police officers, has heard three cases this year, recommending additional training in at least one – but no discipline. RTA created the oversight committee last year to increase transparency, accountability and community input in policing, Kaitlin Durbin reports. It was part of a national movement to reform policing practices following the death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis officer. Fraud concerns: Scam losses reported to Cuyahoga County’s Department of Consumer Affairs have more than doubled over the past year, consumer affairs department director Sheryl Harris told a Senate hearing last week. Money lost to cons that were reported to the office soared from $1.2 million in 2023 to $2.7 million so far this year, reports Sabrina Eaton. Electric bills: City officials are gearing up to increase Cleveland Public Power rates for the first time since the 1980s. As proposed under the changes, electricity rates for households and commercial customers would increase incrementally each year in 2025 and 2026, resulting in a 25% boost over current rates by 2026, reports Courtney Astolfi. Brunswick interchange: Transportation planners voted to take a new look at whether an Interstate 71 Brunswick-Strongsville interchange is needed. A new two-year study will identify options and solutions for the I-71 corridor from Pearl Road in Middleburg Heights south to Ohio 303 in Brunswick, reports Rich Exner. Vaping, smoking ban: Rocky River City Council could vote as early as today to ban smoking and vaping on city property, including public parks. The new law would apply to all publicly owned property in the city, which would include the city’s 10 parks, Cory Shaffer reports. |
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Cleveland-Cliffs: Cleveland-Cliffs is wavering on whether to move forward with plans announced earlier this year to decarbonize its Middletown Works, a decision it said at the time would keep 2,500 jobs at the plant and produce substantial savings. Cancer care: The American Cancer Society recently completed the $7.3 million expansion and renovation of the Joseph S. and Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge, which provides free lodging to cancer patients traveling to Cleveland for cancer care. The renovations, which began last year, added a 10,000-square-foot residential wing with 12 guest suites and increased the lodge’s total number of guest rooms to 43. The project also renovated the kitchen and other areas to accommodate additional guests, reports Julie Washington. |
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Painesville shooting: A 23-year-old man was taken into custody Sunday after being accused shooting to death his 67-year-old father, Painesville police said. 8-year-old driver: An 8-year-old girl on Sunday took a car on a drive and crashed into a mailbox before she was found later at a Target store miles away, according to a Bedford police report. |
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Cirque du Soleil: Fans of the world-renowned touring group can rejoice as Cirque du Soleil will be bringing their high-flying “Ovo” show to Cleveland for five upcoming shows. Paris Wolfe reports Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will host the shows from Thursday through Sunday. Two of its performances will be weekend matinees. Joel and Stewart: Billy Joel and Rod Stewart had nothing to prove Friday night, no records to push. They were just a couple of guys having some fun with the fans who have stuck with them over the years. Marc Bona reports the singers-songwriters-crooners-rockers each played a set in front of 45,000 fans at Huntington Bank Stadium. ELO: A sold-out Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse cheered on the 76-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Lynne as he led his namesake version of ELO through a 100-minute, 20-song set, Peter Chakerian reports. Blazing Paddles: Kayakers and paddleboarders took to the Cuyahoga River on Sunday for the sixth annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest. Megan Sims reports the skies were clear and the weather forgiving during the annual competitive and recreational event hosted by Sharing the Water. Chalk Festival: The sidewalks outside the south side of the Cleveland Museum of Art became a wide-open canvas Saturday for artists from all walks of life. People worked their way through the Fine Arts Garden and down to Wade Lagoon to see artists at work, Kaylee Remington reports. The 35th Chalk Festival was held Saturday and Sunday by the art museum. Best seafood: Looking to try a new seafood place? Yadi Rodriguez and Peter Chakerian break down 30 of the top-rated seafood places in Northeast Ohio as ranked by Yelp. House of the Week: Have you ever wanted to live in an English hamlet? This Cleveland home might not transport you across the ocean, but it definitely has that feel, writes Joey Morona. Located on the border with Cleveland Heights, the Fairhill Road Village Historic District was originally developed as a streetcar suburb. The planned community is now known as Belgian Village and is a showcase of storybook-style townhomes reminiscent of the Cotswolds in England. Built in 1930, the home offers four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in about 2,800 square feet with a list price of $749,000. |
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Anti-Haitian threats target 2 colleges in Springfield, Ohio Read more Model home on horizon for new Middleburg Heights subdivision Read more Berea Arts Fest shines with artisans of all kinds (photos) Read more Area high school students earn National Merit Scholarship Program recognition Read more Mayfield Heights council approves legislation to alleviate basement flooding Read more Current Lighting, with $10.8 million payroll, is moving to Mayfield Heights from Beachwood Read more |
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