BROOK PARK, Ohio – The city of Brook Park intends to submit an application within two weeks to the federal government for financial help on road and pedestrian access improvements near the site of the Browns’ new stadium.
The federal money would be used to help fill the gap if the city doesn’t receive what it is requesting from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Brook Park will seek the maximum allowed of $25 million from a federal program known as BUILD, or Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development. The deadline to submit an application is Feb. 24.
Separately, the city is awaiting word on its $72 million application to ODOT’s Transportation Review Advisory Council, which evaluates major road projects statewide. TRAC is scheduled to provide a draft list of award winners on March 28, with a final list on April 23.
TRAC, however, is a competitive process. Applications have been submitted for 31 projects across the state, requesting a total of $674.3 million.
Yet, TRAC has only $149 million to award. Partial awards are not uncommon, an ODOT spokesperson said.
That’s why Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt said recently he would pursue federal help to plug a potential gap. Legislation submitted to council outlines the details, including a commitment from the Browns’ parent company Haslam Sports Group to cover the local match if needed to receive the grant.
A letter from Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was also included, saying in part that it was being sent “to demonstrate HSG’s firm commitment to fund the necessary non-BUILD grant share” of the project.
Council approval is being sought to submit the federal application.
The Browns already have said they would pay about $12 million for the public infrastructure work separate from the stadium, mostly through engineering and planning. Improvements would include upgrades to the Interstate 71 interchange at Snow Road, plus changes in local roads next to the stadium site.
The team plans to begin excavation of the site on March 2, working toward opening the $2.4 billion stadium in time for the start of the 2029 NFL season.