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BROOK PARK, Ohio (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found the Cleveland Browns are now confident their plans to build a dome will not be stopped.
They also just revealed a new look at plans to handle traffic.
We heard strong words Wednesday after a pitch to get state money for road projects.
“We’re going to do what we need to do to execute this project,” said Ted Tywang, chief administrative officer for the Browns.
At the hearing on funding, the Browns unveiled a new rendering of a complex with an enclosed stadium and development around it.
The rendering also shows plans for a new exit to the complex off of Interstate 71.
Tywang and Brook Park Mayor Ed Orcutt went before a state committee, asking the Ohio Department of Transportation for $70 million to pay for road projects handling traffic around the site for the dome.
The Browns believe there’s no stopping the project now despite lawsuits, some questions about funding and government red tape.
“And so, we will do it. We will figure it out. There isn’t a question. We will figure it out,” Tywang added.
Last week, crews started preparing the site for the dome.
The Browns say they’re investing more than $1 billion. The state is kicking in $600 million and another big chunk of funding may come from Brook Park, but that is still not decided.
“We have to be able to afford it. There’s increased operational costs,” Orcutt said. “We have to make sure we take care of every inch of detail on this project. We will do that, and we’re only going to get that right.”
The city of Cleveland just went to court, challenging a state permit to build the new stadium near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. And this, after the city is already suing to force the team to stay in the current stadium.
Nonetheless, the Browns do not expect any of that to be a roadblock.
We asked Tywang about the city of Cleveland lawsuits.
“We feel really strongly and we’re willing to fight,” he answered. “We believe in this project and we hope cooler heads prevail, but we are where we are.”
The Browns and Brook Park got a chance to make their pitch for state money for road projects at a meeting in Tuscarawas County. But, they’re competing for money against projects from all over the state. They could get all of what they want, or some of it, or nothing.
Meanwhile, the Cuyahoga County executive is not offering any help.
In fact, the I-Team found this week that the county executive met with ODOT leaders raising concern about the project.
But, through the legal fights and other questions, the Browns and Brook Park leaders hope they did enough to win support for money to pay for road projects around a dome.
At the same time, the Browns are also going before a local transportation planning group needing approval there too.
The final word on state funding for road projects won’t come until spring.
If the Browns and Brook Park do not get the state money, they could go after federal money.
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Ed Gallek
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