The Cleveland Browns have released AI-rendered images of a potential $2.4 billion domed stadium for the team.
In a social media post, the franchise expressed a preference for a relocation to Brook Park, to a site surrounded by new development, rather than renovating the current stadium in downtown Cleveland.
While the team’s relocation and construction of the new stadium have yet to be finalized, fans are already divided over the prospect of moving them to the suburbs and out of the city.
“No thanks. The team should be in downtown Cleveland and tailgating in the municipal parking lot,” one fan wrote. “Suburban stadiums always fail anyway.”
“It’s very ugly,” added another. “It looks like a warehouse or a church.”
Cleveland Browns release AI-rendered images of a potential $2.4 billion stadium
“No one in Cleveland has ever said ‘let’s go to Brook Park tonight and hang out,'” added a third.
Although many opposed the move and criticized the stadium’s appearance, others insisted that the relocation would be worth it.
“If you build it, they will come,” one fan suggested. “It would be great to be able to host a Super Bowl to have the opportunity. A dome will make that possible.”
“This is absolutely stunning,” said a fifth. “Super Bowl on Earth!!!!”
In a letter sent to season ticket holders Wednesday, the Browns described what they see as a “transformational” opportunity to create a destination near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
“While there is still much work to be done, the more we have explored the Brook Park option, the more attractive it has become,” David Jenkins, chief operating officer of the Browns and Haslam Sports Group, wrote in the letter with the visual renderings.
“With Mayor Bibb releasing the city’s latest proposal for a renovated stadium last week and the increased community dialogue about the future of our stadium…we felt it was an appropriate time to reach out directly and share an update,” Jenkins added.
He added that the current stadium, which opened in 1999, needs significant upgrades to become a “state-of-the-art facility that makes Cleveland proud.”
The team suggested building a new venue instead of putting a dome on the current stadium.
The proposed new stadium will be built near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Placing a dome at the current stadium would not be feasible due to high costs and height restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration due to the lakefront site’s proximity to Lakefront Airport.
The team has been exploring its options since 2017 and looked at several sites before settling on Brook Park and the downtown lakefront area. In both scenarios, the Browns would split the cost with taxpayers.
The Browns have not released a funding plan for the Brook Park proposal. However, they are focused on new funding sources (tax revenues created, for the most part, by the Brook Park development) to cover the public portion.