The Browns face an obstacle as ODOT denied a construction permit for a domed stadium near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, citing air navigation concerns.
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns' plan to build a new domed stadium in Brook Park near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport may have hit a snag.
In a letter shared with 3News by our media partner Cleveland.com, The Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) Office of Aviation denied the team's request for a construction permit, stating that the proposed height of the new development would be "an obstruction to air navigation."
However, the Haslam Sports Group (HSG) told 3News that ODOT's assessment contradicts the previous assessments made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Our aviation consultants were surprised by ODOT’s letter from two weeks ago, which is flatly at odds with the FAA’s careful analyses and determinations resulting from well over a year of in-depth work, that found our proposed stadium poses no airspace hazards. They’ve also noted several other existing structures in Ohio that exceed the height ODOT apparently now finds objectionable," said HSG spokesperson Peter John-Baptiste.
HSG shared two sets of FAA reports from the agency's "Obstruction Evaluation" group that indicated that both the temporary mobile crane used for construction, and the structure itself, would not pose a hazard to air navigation.
"Although the structure was given clearance from the FAA, ODOT deferred to the Cleveland Airport System’s determination that the structure would impact the airspace of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport," ODOT explained in a statement released on Friday evening. "The deferral to local airport authorities is standard for all development proposals considered by ODOT that are over height but received clearance from the FAA."
ODOT told HSG's aviation consultants Clyde & Co. that if the stadium were reduced in height, the team could request a new permit. However, ODOT officials say if the stadium were located further away from the airport, the Browns would have to file new paperwork with the FAA.
The Browns have until Aug. 31 to request a hearing with ODOT to contest the agency's findings. ODOT also noted that the project could continue to move forward if the Cleveland Airport System changed its position and accepted the current plans.
"We’ve already begun working collaboratively with ODOT to explain the stadium’s heights and the detailed work we’ve done more fully, which shows no safety or efficiency issues to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport," John-Baptiste added. "We look forward to resolving this matter expeditiously and continuing our work to bring this transformative project to Northeast Ohio.”
The Haslam Sports Group's plan for Brook Park calls for a $2.4 billion domed stadium to go with a mixed-use development that is slated to cost roughly another billion. HSG, along with its development partners, have committed to invest more than $2 billion in private capital and are seeking public funding for the remainder of the bill.
At the state level, lawmakers opted for the Ohio Senate's plan, which calls for the utilization of the state's $3.7 billion in unclaimed funds to create a "Sports and Culture Facilities Fund." The Browns' $600 million "performance grant" would be paid back to the state through tax revenues generated by the stadium and mixed-use development over 16 years. Gov. Mike DeWine officially signed off on the funds as part of the state's fiscal year 2026-27 budget on July 1.
The Browns' domed stadium plan also called for the city of Brook Park and Cuyahoga County to provide an additional $600 million in bonds to be covered by an increased admissions tax, parking tax, bed tax and rental car surcharge. However, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has fiercely pushed back on the proposal, calling it everything from "a risky bet" to a "boondoggle."
RONAYNE REACTION
Ronayne spoke to 3News' Peter Fleischer on Friday afternoon to react to the news that the Browns' construction permit request was denied by ODOT's Office of Aviation.
"This isn't a big surprise to us," Ronayne said. "We've had a series of events happen that continue to cast doubt on the wisdom of this plan. This is, as proposed, going to be the closest stadium in the country to an airport. When you look at that fact, there's all kinds of problems that open up with that."
Last month, Ronayne wrote letters to ODOT and the FAA asking them to meet and review the possible traffic and safety impacts of a domed stadium in Brook Park.
"Our foremost duty in government is to keep people safe. You can't let a football stadium get in the way of safety. You can't put that cart before the horse, which has happened," he told Fleischer.
Despite the tension between the two sides, Ronayne said he did meet with the Haslam Sports Group last week.
"We'll never shut the door to conversations," he explained. That's our obligation — to make sure we're communicating."
Ronayne also issued the below statement:
Cuyahoga County is aware of ODOT's decision to deny a construction permit for the proposed Browns stadium site due to air navigation concerns. We remain concerned about the impact a new stadium in Brook Park could have on safety and operations at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which is a critical asset to our region.
We have been in communication with both the FAA and ODOT to better understand the potential implications, and we will continue to monitor this issue closely. Our priority is to ensure that any major development in the County protects public safety and does not compromise airport operations or economic activity.
We cannot emphasize enough that Downtown Cleveland is the best location for the stadium, both for the team and the residents of Cuyahoga County. A downtown stadium enhances accessibility, economic vibrancy, and supports the long-term health of our region.
Meanwhile, the Browns are hoping to be able to break ground on the new stadium in Brook Park some time early next year with the facility slated to open in 2029.