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Dive brief:
- A joint venture between AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction broke ground on April 30 The Cleveland Browns’ new domed Huntington Bank Field in Brook Park, Ohio, according to a team press release.
- The project includes a venue with approximately 75,000 seats and a long-lasting roof system. The stadium, which is scheduled to open in time for the 2029 NFL season, will also anchor a new mixed-use entertainment district, according to the release.
- Development moved forward despite a collective demand alleging misappropriation of $600 million in state funding for the total effort of $2.4 billionESPN reported.
Diving knowledge:
The breakup reflects the latest example of the growing tension how public dollars are financed large stadium construction projects.
In Cleveland, the suit argues that redirecting money from the state’s unclaimed funds account to sports facilities violates constitutional protections against the taking of private property, according to the complaint.
“The Ohio Senate has proposed using $600 million from the Unclaimed Fund Trust Fund to finance the construction of a new stadium for the Cleveland Browns,” according to the class action filing. “This use was not previously authorized by the Ohio Revised Code and diverts funds in trust to a private corporate interest.”
The stadium and surrounding entertainment developments rank as Northeast Ohio’s largest economic development project to date, according to the release. The stadium will serve as Ohio’s first domed venue capable of hosting major destination events throughout the year, including the NCAA Final Four and international soccer games.
“As one of the largest construction projects in Northeast Ohio’s history, the new Huntington Bank Field will provide an unparalleled experience for football fans while having the flexibility to host a variety of blockbuster events,” said Ken Johnson, AECOM Hunt’s director of operations for the Central Region. “As one of the nation’s leaders in building spaces, we are honored to play a role in this important and game-changing project.”
