Editor’s Note: The video above is previous coverage on this story.
CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team is asking about the impact of a decision by a local transportation planning group delaying approval for road projects around the proposed site for a Browns dome.
The Browns plan to build a new stadium complex in Brook Park, and the city plans a series of road projects to help handle increased traffic around the site of the dome just across from Hopkins Airport.
Friday plans for the road projects hit a snag while being considered by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).
That left the mayor of Brook Park furious.
NOACA, on Friday, sent the plans back to a committee that had already looked at the project, saying more questions needed to be answered regarding a traffic analysis.
Also, Mayor Ed Orcutt says he was there and prepared to answer any questions, but he was not allowed to do that.
He told the I-Team, “We’ve been working with Osborne Engineering on the traffic study since April of 2024. It’s been a thorough and collaborative process and within the scope of what NOACA has required. Throughout the NOACA process we’ve been able to present and explain our plan while also answering any questions they have. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t have the opportunity to present today. The only information that was utilized came from members that had not been participating within this generational project.”
The move could delay approval of the plans for months.
Meantime, this week the Browns and Brook Park went before a committee with the Ohio Department of Transportation asking for $70 million in public money for the projects.
It is not clear how the delay at NOACA could impact the request for state money.
Mayor Orcutt added, “Our only goal is to create an optimal traffic plan to benefit the region and we understand how important community input has been and will continue to be throughout this process.”
We have reached out to the NOACA Executive Director for comment.
And we’ve reached out to Board President Chris Ronayne. He has been the loudest critic of the Browns dome project while also admitting Cuyahoga County has never done its own traffic study.
Earlier this week, the Chief Administrative Officer for the Browns, Ted Tywang, said,
“We’re gonna do what we need to do to execute this project.”
The Browns believe there’s no stopping the project now despite lawsuits, some questions about funding and government red tape.
Tywang added, “And, so, we will do it. We will figure it out. There isn’t a question. We will figure it out.”
Last week, crews started preparing the site for the dome.
The Browns say they’re investing more than a billion dollars. The state is kicking in $600 million. And another big chunk of funding may come from Brook Park. But that is still not decided.
Ed Gallek
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