Cleveland Browns Stadium is a Trojan Horse for Regional Uni-Gov, Regional Taxation and Smart Growth Planning
Keep in mind, that this letter was initially sent out on May 2nd, 2024.
Greetings,
This letter is circulating because I have grown tired of watching the narrative of local events and plans, continue to be carefully crafted for public consumption by those with vested interests and ill intent. I encourage you to send it to everyone in your circle to start talking about what is happening on the ground, before the establishment's narrative is tailored and delivered to the unwitting public.
The point of this letter is to address concerns that are on the cusp of our region. Conversations are happening in the news and social media about proposed upgrades to the current stadium or a new Browns Stadium in Brook Park, Ohio. This letter will bring light to the fact that a conversation about the regional funding of any Cleveland Browns Stadium upgrade has been happening for almost 2 years. The information provided also makes a case that the local news media and local leaders openly discuss plans to circumvent the existing tax structure, governments and autonomy of counties in the Northeast Ohio Region. I hope to show why the introduction of a regional tax to support the Browns Stadium options could serve as a gateway to soften the public for plans of Regional Tax Sharing, a Regional Government and Regional Land Use Policies.
I am of the belief that the Browns move to Brook Park from Cleveland is a done deal and I will touch on my reasoning later in the letter. First, I would like to explain why this is set to become a concern for the outlying counties, specifically counties adjoining Cuyahoga, regardless of whether the Browns move or not. For years I have been studying the social media accounts of officials and the reporting of local news agencies in Cleveland and I know how they operate. Typically, an idea gets introduced on social media by people loosely affiliated with the City of Cleveland or Cuyahoga County. That idea bats around their circles for a while until one of the local news organizations ie: Cleveland Scene Magazine, Cleveland.com, Crains Cleveland or Signal Cleveland pick up on it. Typically, the articles that follow explore a progressive premise, featuring carefully crafted wording or keywords, giving notice to planners and other influencers of the objective. They then have published material to expound on and press local officials for comment. This practice is thoroughly displayed in this particular instance and if it follows course, the product is destined to land at our feet sooner than later.
Calls for the Regional Funding for Browns Stadium Upgrades in the News
On July 7, 2022 Cleveland.com published an article from former Editorial Director Brent Larkin entitled "Any major stadium upgrade for the Browns needs to go to the voters" https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2022/07/any-major-stadium-upgrade-for-the-browns-needs-to-go-to-the-voters-brent-larkin.html
In his article, Larkin addresses upgrades to Cleveland Browns Stadium ahead of the 2028 lease expiration. He goes on in detail to discuss the poor state of the team, but the major takeaway is that it's the first article that I have read where there is a call for a regional tax to fund any future Browns expenditures.
Larkin says: "Given that Cleveland has a new Mayor in Justin Bibb and next year will have a new Cuyahoga County executive, this might represent an ideal opportunity to pitch for financing stadium improvements on a regional basis instead of sticking Cuyahoga County residents with the entire tab."
On March 12, 2023 Cleveland.com published another article from Brent Larkin entitled "Hold onto your wallets taxpayers, The Browns owners are about to come knocking" https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2023/03/hold-onto-your-wallets-taxpayers-the-browns-owners-are-about-to-come-knocking-brent-larkin.html
In his article, Larkin again describes the team's desire to renovate the existing Cleveland Browns Stadium with costs projected to reach $1 Billion. He editorializes about how bad of an idea it would be for Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne to burden their respective taxpayers with the expense and poses the only realistic solution that he can muster.
Larkin says: "If elected officials decide to tax their constituents, the best way to ask voters to help would be with a multicounty referendum involving Cuyahoga's five contiguous counties. Even then, it would be a tough sell."
On March 13, 2023 News 5 Cleveland WEWS published an article from reporter Joe Pagonakis entitled "Cleveland Browns confirm starting internal discussions on stadium renovations" https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-browns-confirm-starting-internal-discussions-on-stadium-renovations
In his article, Pagonakis explores similar ideas as Larkin but takes it a step further by reaching out to officials for comment. He is unable to extract comments from Mayor Bibb or Executive Ronayne about how the Stadium renovations would be financed, but settles with a statement from Cleveland City Council President Blane Griffin who confessed:
"I believe there's going to have to be a lot of creativity, we're going to have a lot of conversations with our adjoining counties as well as Cuyahoga County council and the county executive. Everybody, the county and quite frankly the region and state all need to look at what does this asset mean for our region"
On March 15, 2023 Cleveland Scene Magazine published an article from reporter Mark Oprea entitled "Would Cuyahoga County's Neighbors Help Subsidize a Browns Stadium Renovation. Officials Wonder What Would Be In It For Them" https://www.clevescene.com/news/would-cuyahoga-countys-neighbors-help-subsidize-a-browns-stadium-renovation-officials-wonder-what-would-be-in-it-for-them-41593849
In his article, Oprea references the commentary from both Larkin and Pagonakis. Oprea attempts to bolster the need for regional financial support with his claim that roughly 72% of attendees at sporting/ entertainment events held at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse are from outside of Cuyahoga County. He then expands the net, and reaches out to officials from Lake, Medina, Geauga and Lorain Counties for comments on their willingness to support the Browns Stadium renovation. He was able to get a statement from Lake County Commissioner John Plecnik who said:
"Well, for this to happen responsibly, we'd have to be included in the benefit. If there was a Browns training(camp) or employees in Lake County, we're always open to economic development and bringing that in, and we have a lot of Browns fans in Lake County. But I would want to see how our county would be included in the benefit going forward if we were to consider that seriously."
The only other source willing to provide a comment on record with Oprea was Medina County Administrator Scott Miller who responded, when asked about being part of a multi-county subsidy solution:
"Honestly, this is the first I've heard of it. In the end, that would be a decision the board has to make. And the question would be, "How does this benefit Medina?""
On June 13, 2023 Cleveland Scene Magazine reporter Mark Oprea opted to use new data to push the subject again in his article entitled "Only 30% of Fans at Browns Home Games Live in Cuyahoga County, Data Shows" https://www.clevescene.com/news/only-30-of-fans-at-browns-home-games-live-in-cuayhoga-county-data-shows-42158860
In this article, Oprea reiterates many of the same points and quotes that he did in his previous piece, but this time he uses Milwaukee, Wisconsin as an example where a 5-county region was tapped to fund a Pro Sports Stadium. He employs newly acquired data from Placer.ai to make a case for Cuyahoga County that they shouldn't solely bear the financial burden of a Browns Stadium renovation when(allegedly) "Only 30% of fans at Browns home games live in Cuyahoga County."
The heat has been on of late with a series of articles broadcasting the new Brook Park Stadium plans with one common theme, the question of who will pay for it. Recently a request for $600 Million in funding was floated to the Ohio State House that didn't get a warm reception. Even if the State decided to hand off $600 Million in funding along with the Haslam’s promise of $1.2 Billion out of their pockets, that still leaves a gap of $600 Million in funding to reach their $2.4 Billion cost estimate. The most recent articles suspiciously omit any mention of regional funding which leads me to believe they are slow rolling information and articles to spring that very idea on the public when they believe the timing is right.
In other news concerning public sports facilities and the controversy surrounding them, here are two recent articles from SignalCleveland's Nick Castele. The first is centered around an email sent by Cleveland Cavaliers CEO Nic Barlage to Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. In the email, Barlage expresses his disappointment with Ronayne and Bibb for side-stepping the Cavaliers Front Office from having any input on the selection process of The Gateway Economic Development's new Chair. The Gateway Economic Development Corporation is the 3rd party tasked with handling the leases of the facilities co-owned by Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland.
The article also highlights the ongoing financial woes surrounding the Cavs and Cuyahoga County.
The second article is about the naming of the new Chair of the Gateway Economic Development Corporation.
In the year since the last article discussing regional funding for a Browns Stadium was published, the potential build for this project has taken many forms. From a renovated domed stadium on the Lakefront to the tune of $1 Billion, to a brand-new state of the art domed stadium as part of a campus featuring hotels, shops and restaurants coming in at an estimated $2.4 Billion. The details of the settled upon option are unimportant to us in counties outside of Cuyahoga, aside from the extra $1.4 Billion in funding that a Brook Park Stadium would require. As stated at the beginning of this letter, I believe that Cleveland wants rid of the Browns for a few reasons. During the hearing of the Ohio Senate Select Subcommittee on Affordable Housing, that came to Cleveland in January of this year, testimony from a majority of Cleveland City Councilmen included pleas to explore a land value-based form of taxation in favor of the current property taxes. It quickly became evident why they would desire such a change. If the tax structure were to change to a land value tax, it would immediately put all of the parking lot owners in Downtown Cleveland out of business. Forcing them to sell to developers salivating to pack every square inch of acquired space with high density condos and apartments. Obviously, Cleveland would love the income tax revenue that it would bring in and it would fulfill another stated objective of the Bibb Administration, to eliminate private vehicles in Downtown Cleveland. The only events that draw crowds to justify the surface lots concentrated on the Lakefront are Cleveland Browns home games. With ambitious plans to develop the Lakefront and Port Authority, Cleveland would be happy to let the Browns leave, especially considering they could keep a portion of the $5 million in sin tax money they are entitled to, if they move a less resource intensive entity into the space.
Recently, Cleveland Scene Magazine reporter Mark Oprea penned an article entitled "Cleveland State's Waterfront Line Study Urges Apartments on the Muni Lot, New Loop Connection.'
This article references "data" from a study conducted by Cleveland State University that calls for new housing developments in the city owned Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of East 9th and Route 2 East. The study also demands infrastructure to support a new Waterfront Rapid Transit Line to replace the need for private transportation options. For decades the "Muni Lot' has been the premier tailgating spot for Browns fans. This is an indicator that initial suspicions were accurate.
Regional Taxation & Government
One of the main reasons that I believe that Regional Counties will be propositioned to help fund a renovated or new Cleveland Browns Stadium is the idea of Regional Taxation. It is my opinion that Cuyahoga County and Cleveland Leaders wish to make leaps towards this concept in the near future. I believe that a cause as central and innocuous as our beloved sports franchises is the perfect Trojan Horse to soften residents of the 5-county region to the idea. Then incrementally take measures to edge out our local government and foist a full Regional Tax Sharing Model as a mechanism to unburden us from the heavy financial weight of system redundancy. Here are a few examples that help make my case.
Current Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has been a very vocal proponent of what he calls his "Triple Play." It consists of a Regional Tax Sharing Strategy, the adoption of a Uni-gov and planning for Smart Growth. With the recent public charge that Mr. Ronayne has made to oust NOACA Executive Director Grace Gallucci just in time for him to claim his role as NOACA President in 2025, he would be in the position to not only help choose an Executive Director that would be favorable to his agenda, he could also turn the historically symbolic position into one that wields power with the 5 county region under his control with access to Millions in Federal funding for Climate Action at his disposal. He already has the full support of the influential Cleveland and Gund Foundations who funded his trip to the COP 27 Climate Summit in Egypt.
In 2009, when Mr.Ronayne was the President of University Circle Inc, he gave a speech to a crowd of planners and local leaders at NOACA's Annual Summit. During his speech, he scolded the attendees for allowing residents to "sprawl" from Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to Lake, Geauga, Medina and Lorain Counties. It is here that he publicizes his "Triple Play" of Regional Tax Sharing, Uni-gov and Smart Growth.
Here are the three videos of this speech with the second video hammering the Triple Play out of the gate:
Regional Taxation and Regional Government Models have been championed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer for a long time. The most notable came in a series of articles published in 2019 called A Way Forward 2030. In this series, author Peter Krouse explores the Regional "Successes" of "Peer Cities" like Indianapolis, Minneapolis and St. Louis along the lines of Regional Tax Sharing and the creation of a new Regional Government aka Uni-gov.
The series is quite in depth and here are a majority of articles should you choose to explore:
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/05/will-st-louis-help-cleveland-see-a-way-forward.html
There is a big play in the works to control the economies, travel, land use, taxes and governments in our Region. If we wish to protect the lives that we've created and the local autonomy that has provided the freedom to do so, the time is now. Press your elected officials to make a statement in advance that you don't want to help fund Cleveland Browns Stadium with a regional tax. Inform them about the stated goals of current Cuyahoga County Officials to eliminate our structure of government and effectively destroy what local control that we still have left. Talk with your neighbors, organize.
Side Note: This information is widely available for the public to find. I simply recognize the importance, make mental note and chart their progress towards their stated goals. Should some of my predictions come true, I believe this will provide a great educational opportunity to witness exactly how the media reports the "news” and withholds information as well as who is colluding with whom.
Thank you for your time. Please share.
Thank you John. I am grateful you have answered God’s calling. He knew you were equipped. 🥰
I will share widely