BROOK PARK, Ohio (WOIO) – The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) has confirmed that they are analyzing the traffic impact of a reduction in onsite parking at the new Cleveland Browns dome.
According to NOACA, Osborn Engineering (Brook Park’s consulting firm) approached NOACA weeks ago looking for analysis on a possible change from 13,000 to 8,000 parking spaces.
The full analysis of that scenario is expected to be completed by the end of next week, with early information indicating that a reduction in onsite parking would reduce traffic directly around the stadium.
Grace Gallucci, NOACA Executive Director and CEO, said less parking would encourage more ridesharing, carpooling, public transportation, and walking to the site. Those variables would reduce the amount of cars and thus traffic.
When asked what the impact would be on side streets and other areas around the stadium if onsite parking is reduced, NOACA did not have a firm answer.
Their model is looking at the “immediate influence area around the stadium”, which would not stretch to other parts of Brook Park that could be seeing individuals parking in their neighborhoods.
NOACA did specify that off-site parking spaces are expected to increase from 9,000 to 12,000, giving the opening for a reduction in spaces at the dome itself.
It is important to note that the only way the site could get approval to officially decrease the parking spaces is through the Brook Park Planning Commission. There is currently no effort to officially do so.
Parking at the new Brook Park dome has been a large debate over the last year.
Haslam Sports Group had previously promised, on multiple occasions, 12,000-14,000 parking spaces. When presenting the preliminary development plan (PDP), HSG backtracked on that promise, including 9,401 spaces in phase one with a reduction to 8,734 spaces by phase two.
That forced the Brook Park Planning Commission to approve the PDP with three conditions, one of which was to increase parking to 13,000 spaces.
In order for HSG to have the parking changed, they would need to submit a modification plan within “thirty days of the date such decision was issued” (according to Brook Park’s charter). As the PDP was approved on March 24, that deadline passed on May 5.
When reached for comment, the Browns would not say if they submitted a modification plan. They did say that they are “very confident (the parking) will be a much improved experience for our fans and guests than the current experience when the stadium opens in 2029″.
Brook Park declined to comment for this story.
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