While Cuyahoga County executive Chris Ronayne has dug in with respect to the Cleveland Browns domed stadium proposal, a high-profile organization has come out in support of the team’s move to Brook Park.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the area’s chamber of commerce, endorsed the plan from the Browns to build their $3.4 billion mixed-used development with a stadium and entertainment district as centerpieces.

“While a downtown dome is ideal, financial and development constraints have been challenging; the Brook Park option is more practical to move forward,” they wrote in a release on May 20. “The additional events, and expected growth in live entertainment, are an economic opportunity for the entire region. “

The move comes after Ronayne replied to a letter from the team that stated they was moving forward with the Brook Park project with or without help from the county. Ronayne’s reply welcomed them to do so.  In his replay he referred to the project as a “boondoggle.”

“The $600 million in bonds requested from Cuyahoga County was never needed for this project, and we now clearly see that you have spent the last two years attempting to bully the public and fleece county taxpayers for HSG’s private gain,” Ronayne wrote.

There has been some softening on the part of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb

In a Tuesday interview with the Fox 8 I-Team, Mayor Justin Bibb realigned the priorities regarding the team.

“There are more important priorities than the Cleveland Browns,” Mayor Justin Bibb told the I-Team during an interview Tuesday.

Developing Cleveland’s lakefront along with a proposed $1.1 billion remake of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport top that list.

“We gotta move on,” the mayor said. “If they go to Brook Park, God bless them, good luck. But, by hell or high water, we are going to develop a lakefront our residents can be proud of.”

Bibb was resolute, however, in suggesting there is likely a price to be paid.

“But, it’s important that the city of Cleveland is not left empty-handed,” Bibb said. “That we don’t have an abandoned stadium downtown.”

George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns stadium fight continues with endorsement, new mayor’s stance