Home Care In Brook Park, OH

On Jan. 1, Ohio can start transferring as much as $1.9B in unclaimed funds into a new fund, from which the state will pay $600M toward the Cleveland Browns’ new domed stadium in Brook Park. But a federal judge ruled the lawsuit over the plan can continue.

U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus Jr. heard arguments in the lawsuit over the proposal to move unclaimed funds the state has held since 2016 into the Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility Performance Grant Fund, which was created in the state budget signed earlier this year. The $600 million the state pledged to the "transformational major sports facility mixed-use project" in Brook Park that will be the home of the Cleveland Browns will come from that fund.

Sargus ruled the transfer of the funds can go on as scheduled on Jan. 1, but he also rejected the state's request for a dismissal of the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by Democratic former state lawmakers Jeffrey Crossman and Marc Dann, who’s also the former state attorney general. Crossman and Dann had asked for a timeout on that transfer, in the form of a temporary restraining order. Dann noted people who believe they are owners of unclaimed funds can still make claims until 2036.

“I think that's why the judge found that there wasn't an urgency," Dann said in an interview. "We disagree and we're looking at our options relating to that.”

But Dann said he's pleased the lawsuit over the constitutionality of the state taking those funds—which he said is being done without due process—to continue. The state has said it’s legal.

“We haven't given up yet on getting that order in place between now and Jan. 1," said Dann in an interview. "But even if we don't, that money can always, the Browns can always pay it back. The state can reimburse the unclaimed funds account."

The Browns' stadium is part of a development project that is expected to cost $2.4 billion. The state and local governments will each put in $600 million, with the Browns' owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam contributing the rest. The facility is expected to open in 2029.

The state has about $4.8 billion in the unclaimed funds account. In her testimony, Division of Unclaimed Funds Finance Manager Amy Schellhammer said there's been a flood of claims following news coverage of the plan to use the money for the Browns stadium, and that's delaying the processing of those claims. The state's unclaimed funds website has a banner informing those filing claims to allow 120 days, or four months, for a claim to be reviewed.

A federal judge has denied a request to stop the state of Ohio from moving unclaimed funds that would go toward construction of the new Browns stadium in Brook Park.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal judge has denied a request to stop the state of Ohio from moving unclaimed funds into a new state account — clearing the way for hundreds of millions of dollars to help finance the Cleveland Browns’ new domed stadium in Brook Park.

The decision by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. came in a case filed in October by attorneys with DannLaw, who brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Ohioans whose unclaimed money is currently held in trust by the state.

Under the two-year operating budget signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on June 30, Ohio is preparing to transfer $1.7 billion in unclaimed funds that have been dormant at least 10 years.

State officials say about $600 million of that will go toward the Browns stadium project.

Plaintiffs argued the plan is unconstitutional, saying unclaimed funds remain private property and shouldn’t be seized or used for a privately owned sports facility.

They asked the court for a preliminary injunction, an emergency order that would have paused the transfer while the lawsuit proceeds.

Sargus denied that request.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs say the ruling allows the state to begin reallocating the funds immediately, even as the larger lawsuit continues.

Attorney Jeff Crossman emphasized the case is not about opposing the Browns or the stadium itself, but about protecting residents’ money.

“Mark Dann and I have always been adamant that we're not against the Browns," Crossman told 3News. "We're not against the stadium construction. We're just against the way they're doing it here — stealing, essentially, from everyday folks in Ohio.”

Crossman said the state’s unclaimed-funds system was never meant to operate like this.

“What we have argued all along is this has been set up as essentially a lost and found for people. And now they’re saying, well, after a certain amount of time, too bad you didn’t have notice that your money’s in there—we’re still going to liquidate it and hand it over to a billionaire. That's the fundamental problem here," he added.

The underlying lawsuit, challenging the constitutionality of the entire funding plan, remains active in federal court. But for now, the judge’s ruling means Ohio can move forward with transferring the unclaimed funds, including the $600 million earmarked for the Browns stadium project.

Ohioans can check whether they have unclaimed funds at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov.

BROOK PARK, Ohio -- The holiday season is about to shine a little brighter in Brook Park.

On Nov. 28, families will gather at the amphitheater for the city’s annual holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony.

It will be a night filled with lights, laughter and community spirit, capped off by fireworks.

“Santa will be riding on the back of the fire truck; we will have live music, hot chocolate and food trucks, with an artist creating an ice sculpture,” said Parks and Recreation Director Chris Wetmore.

The long-running event has become a beloved city tradition.

“This has been a staple for the city for some time,” Wetmore said.

“Each year, we try to enhance the event, whether it is with more decorations or additional activities.”

This year’s parade will once again feature community groups and local participants, with spots still open for those who want to join in the fun.

The parade kicks off at 6 p.m.

One of the most memorable moments comes when the lights and fireworks burst to life together.

“Our event is very unique,” Wetmore said. “We time the fireworks to go off concurrently with the lighting of the tree. We feel it adds a special touch to the event.”

Visitors can arrive early to enjoy the food trucks and hot chocolate bar, which open at 4:30 p.m.

“The Brook Park Boosters will be donating and serving free hot chocolate to all,” Wetmore said.

For Wetmore, the parade and tree lighting capture the spirit of the season.

“This event is highly attended by our residents, which says that our community has a strong feeling for the holiday season,” he said.

“This event is the unofficial start to that season.”

BROOK PARK, Ohio — From a citywide Santa tour to a new holiday art class and an annual decorating contest, Brook Park is stacking the season with activities for residents of all ages.

“Families in Brook Park truly look forward to all of these annual events. It gets everybody in the Christmas spirit,” said Program Coordinator Amanda Morgano.

Santa Tours the City – Nov. 29

The celebrations begin Saturday, Nov. 29, when Santa and his helpers roll through every neighborhood in Brook Park.

The event starts at 9 a.m., with several caravans fanning out across the city.

“We have several crews of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other characters that all take off on separate routes throughout the city beginning at 9 a.m. Every street in the city will have a visit from Santa,” Morgano said.

Families are encouraged to watch from their yards or sidewalks as the festive vehicles and characters pass by.

Winter Art Class – Dec. 5

Residents looking for a creative night out can sign up for a winter art class on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Brook Park Recreation Center, 17400 Holland Road. The class runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and costs 30 dollars per person.

The one-hour session is holiday-themed and invites participants to “edit a Goodwill treasure” into a seasonal painting. All materials are supplied by the instructor.

“The art class is geared towards adults,” Morgano said. “This is our first time running one with a Goodwill-themed task. Our instructor has a vision and we are excited to see results.”

Registration is available through the Brook Park recreation website.

Holiday Home Decorating Contest – through December

Throughout December, the city will sparkle with the Holiday Home Decorating Contest, which invites residents to light up their homes and yards. The deadline to register a home is Dec. 11. A list of participating addresses will be shared Dec. 12 so neighbors can tour the displays.

“The turnout for the holiday decorating contest is always great. We already have 10 registered and anticipate several more,” Morgano said.

Judges will select first and second-place winners based on best overall appearance. Morgano said residents get especially creative with lights, inflatables, Christmas trees and other decorations.

“Some people get really creative with their decorations and deck them with lights, inflatables, Christmas trees, and much more,” she said. “We look forward to the houses that have participated for years to see what they have as new additions.”

Winners will be announced on Christmas Eve at noon.

Morgano said the recreation staff sees these holiday events as a way to keep long-standing traditions alive while trying new ideas.

“We are always looking to provide fun experiences for our residents,” she said. “These events are staples in our city that everyone looks forward to. But we are always striving to create new and exciting things for our community.”

Event details and registration information are available on the Brook Park Recreation Department website.

BROOK PARK, Ohio — All the lawsuits aimed at blocking or delaying the Cleveland Browns’ planned move to Brook Park are now either facing dismissal motions or are in the process of being withdrawn, raising the potential that the remaining legal hurdles could be cleared as the Browns aim to start construction next year.

On Friday, the state of Ohio asked a federal judge in Columbus to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the use of $600 million in unclaimed funds for the new stadium.

That case, filed by former Attorney General Marc Dann and former state Rep. Jeff Crossman of Parma, argues that the state’s budget plan to repurpose unclaimed funds is unconstitutional.

The state countered that the lawsuit should be thrown out or sent back to state court, accusing the plaintiffs of “forum shopping.” The suit by the two Democratic former state officials was originally filed in state court, before it was dropped and refiled Oct. 2 in federal court.

Yet, this filing came on the same day that Dann and Crossman asked a judge to block the state from releasing the money as the case pans out.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has asserted that the budget’s plan to use unclaimed funds is constitutional.

The state budget approved earlier this year allows for transferring $1.7 billion from Ohio’s unclaimed funds account to pay for stadiums and cultural facilities, including $600 million for the Browns’ project as early as February.

Other legal disputes between the Browns and the city of Cleveland are to be dropped under an October agreement between Mayor Justin Bibb and team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.

As part of that deal, the city has agreed to both dismiss its own lawsuit that sought to block the team’s relocation and withdraw its appeal filed in Common Pleas Court over the proposed stadium’s height near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Additionally, the agreement also states that the city must use its “best efforts to seek the dismissal” of the taxpayer lawsuit former Mayor Dennis Kucinich filed in an attempt to block the team’s move from Cleveland.

In return, the Browns have committed $70 million in payments to the city — largely for lakefront redevelopment — and to covering the estimated $30 million cost of demolishing the existing downtown stadium.

Construction in Brook Park is slated to begin next year, with the new stadium expected to open in 2029.