CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland City Council votes not to pay the Cleveland Browns nearly $1.2 million dollars for emergency repairs to Huntington Bank Field, according to a press release from council.
(Vic Gideon)
The city of Cleveland owns Huntington Field, and the Cleveland Browns operate it. The October 23, 1998, lease requires the City of Cleveland to maintain the structure and keep it usable as a sports facility. Under the lease, the City of Cleveland must reimburse the Browns for necessary emergency repairs the Browns perform or cause to be performed.
More than half of the repairs are for concrete and joints to be fixed.
Councilmembers say they’re frustrated maintaining a stadium, the team will tear down in three years.
Despite the city’s obligations under the lease, the legislation failed 6 to 7.
19 News has reached out to the Browns for comment.
No Repair. Tonight, Cleveland City Council considered Ordinance 931-2026, which would have authorized the city to pay for required repairs to Huntington Field. The City of Cleveland owns Huntington Field, and the Cleveland Browns operate it. The October 23, 1998, lease requires the City of Cleveland to maintain the structure and keep it usable as a sports facility. Under the lease, the City of Cleveland must reimburse the Browns for necessary emergency repairs the Browns perform or cause to be performed. This ordinance would have authorized total reimbursement of $1,122,824.02, more than half of which is for concrete and joint repairs. Despite the City’s obligations under the lease, Councilmembers were divided, and many expressed frustrations about having to pay the Browns’ maintenance expenses on a building that they will cause to be torn down in three years. They also expressed anger at the deal the city struck with the Browns over leaving the city. Proponents expressed similar frustrations but concluded they were obligated to fulfill the lease terms or spend even more money to defend the city in a subsequent lawsuit. Ordinance 931-2026 failed 6–7.
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