City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move

After months of negotiations, public hearings, and debates over infrastructure, funding, and community impact, the Cleveland City Council voted unanimously to approve a landmark settlement this week—one that clears the final legal and logistical hurdles for the Cleveland Browns to relocate their team headquarters, training facility, and youth football programs to a new, state-of-the-art campus in the city’s Midtown neighborhood. The settlement, which includes a $150 million public-private partnership, addresses concerns over traffic mitigation, affordable housing, and local business support, turning a divisive proposal into a unified vision for both the NFL franchise and the city. For the Browns, the move represents a chance to modernize operations and deepen community ties; for Cleveland, it’s a commitment to revitalizing an underdeveloped area while keeping a beloved sports franchise rooted in the city. City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move explores the origins of the relocation plan, the key terms of the settlement, community and stakeholder reactions, the timeline for construction, and the long-term economic and social impacts for both the team and the city.

City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move opens with the backstory of the Browns’ relocation push, which began in 2022 when team ownership first expressed frustration with their current facilities in Berea, Ohio. The 50-year-old headquarters lacked modern training technology, had limited space for player development, and was located 15 miles from downtown Cleveland—creating a disconnect from the city’s core and fan base. Team executives spent two years evaluating sites before settling on a 100-acre parcel in Midtown, a neighborhood between downtown and University Circle that had long been targeted for revitalization. However, the proposal faced pushback: residents worried about increased traffic, rising property values displacing low-income families, and the use of public funds for a private sports franchise. City Council held 12 public hearings over six months, inviting input from neighborhood associations, business owners, and fans, before drafting a settlement that balanced the team’s needs with community concerns. “This wasn’t just about moving a football team—it was about building something that benefits everyone,” said Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin. “We wanted to ensure the Browns’ new home didn’t just serve the franchise, but lifted up the people who live and work in Midtown.”

City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move delves into the key terms of the settlement, which took nearly a year to finalize and addresses three critical areas: funding, community benefits, and infrastructure. The \(150 million project will be funded by a mix of private and public dollars: the Browns will contribute \)100 million, while the city will provide \(50 million in tax increment financing (TIF) to cover road improvements, utility upgrades, and pedestrian walkways. To address affordable housing concerns, the settlement requires the Browns to partner with local developers to build 200 units of income-restricted housing within a mile of the new campus, with 50% reserved for families earning below the city’s median income. The team must also create a \)5 million small business grant program to support local shops and restaurants affected by construction, and commit to hiring at least 30% of construction workers from Midtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Additionally, the settlement includes a traffic mitigation plan: the city will add two new roundabouts, expand public transit routes to the campus, and fund a shuttle service between the site and downtown. “Every line item in this settlement was negotiated with the community in mind,” said Griffin. “We didn’t want this to be another example of a sports team taking from the city—we wanted it to be a partnership where both sides win.”

City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move covers the reactions from key stakeholders, which ranged from enthusiastic support to cautious optimism. Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement praising the council’s “forward-thinking approach” and vowing to “deliver a facility that makes Cleveland proud.” Players, too, expressed excitement: quarterback Deshaun Watson noted that the new training complex would “give us the tools to compete for championships” while bringing the team “closer to the fans who support us every week.” Midtown residents, however, had mixed feelings. While many welcomed the investment—Midtown has seen little new development in decades—some remained wary of gentrification. “I’m happy the area is getting attention, but I hope the affordable housing promise isn’t just a token gesture,” said Maria Gonzalez, a lifelong Midtown resident. Local business owners, though, were largely supportive: the Cleveland Restaurant Association estimated the new campus could bring 500,000 additional visitors to the area annually, boosting sales for nearby cafes and shops. For the Cleveland Browns, the positive response from most stakeholders validates their decision to engage with the community early and often—a shift from past sports franchise relocations that ignored public input. “We learned a lot from the process,” said Browns Chief Operating Officer David Jenkins. “This settlement isn’t just a deal—it’s a relationship builder, and that’s something we’ll carry forward into the new campus.”

Another layer of City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move is the detailed timeline for construction, which is set to begin in early 2025 and conclude by the start of the 2027 NFL season. The project will be completed in three phases: phase one (2025-2026) will focus on site preparation, infrastructure upgrades, and the construction of the team’s training facility, which will include indoor and outdoor practice fields, a sports science lab, and player recovery centers. Phase two (2026-2027) will add the headquarters building, featuring office space for coaches and front-office staff, a media center, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater for community events. Phase three (2027) will finalize the youth football complex, which will host local leagues, clinics, and summer camps for kids ages 6-18. The Browns have committed to keeping their Berea facilities operational until the new campus is fully ready, ensuring no disruption to training or community programs. “We’re taking a phased approach to minimize inconvenience and make sure every part of the project is done right,” Jenkins said. For the Cleveland Browns, the timeline is ambitious but necessary: the team hopes the new facilities will help attract top free agents, improve player performance, and create a year-round destination for fans. For the city, the three-year construction period will also bring short-term benefits, including an estimated 1,200 construction jobs and $30 million in local spending on materials and services.

City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move explores the long-term economic and social impacts the relocation is expected to have on Cleveland. Economists at Case Western Reserve University project the new campus will generate \(250 million in annual economic activity for the city, including \)80 million in new tax revenue over the next decade. The Midtown neighborhood, which currently has a 20% vacancy rate for commercial buildings, is expected to see a surge in new development—retail stores, hotels, and residential buildings—fueled by the Browns’ presence. Socially, the team’s commitment to youth football and community events aims to reduce youth obesity rates and build positive relationships between players and local kids. The settlement also requires the Browns to host at least 10 free community events annually at the new campus, including health fairs, job fairs, and holiday drives. “This move is about more than football—it’s about investing in Cleveland’s future,” said Mayor Justin Bibb. “The Browns aren’t just relocating; they’re becoming a bigger part of our city’s fabric.” For the Cleveland Browns, the long-term impact is equally significant: the new facilities will help secure the franchise’s future in Cleveland for decades, while the community benefits will strengthen fan loyalty and build a legacy beyond wins and losses.

City Council Settlement Paves Way for the Cleveland Browns Move closes with a reflection on what the settlement means for the future of sports and urban development in Cleveland. The Browns’ relocation is part of a broader trend of NFL teams moving facilities closer to city centers to increase accessibility and community engagement, but few have included such robust community benefits. The settlement sets a precedent for how public-private partnerships can work: the city gets revitalization and jobs, the team gets modern facilities, and residents get protections against displacement. As construction begins, all eyes will be on Midtown to see if the vision becomes a reality. For the Cleveland Browns, the move is a chance to write a new chapter—one that ties their success to the city’s success. For Cleveland, it’s a bet that investing in a beloved sports franchise can be a catalyst for broader change. “This settlement isn’t the end of the process—it’s the beginning,” Griffin said. “Now we get to work building a campus that makes Cleveland proud, for the Browns and for everyone who calls this city home.” For both the team and the city, the future is now firmly rooted in a shared vision—one made possible by compromise, collaboration, and a commitment to building something greater than the sum of its parts.