The Cleveland Browns are asking state and local governments to cover half the cost of either a new $2.4 billion domed stadium in suburban Brook Park or $1 billion in renovations to their current lakefront stadium.
Team representatives held meetings with state lawmakers in May to present the proposals, including renderings of what the Brook Park stadium would look like. None of those renderings have yet been made public.
If the two sides opt to invest in renovation of the current 67,000-seat Cleveland Browns Stadium, a project of that size would require multiple years to complete and a complex blend of local and state permits for the work. Even though some agreements may be negotiated because of the size and scope of the project, basic building code guidelines still need to be followed.
And that takes the proper filing and completion of permits.
For example, the Carolina Panthers and the city of Charlotte announced in June an $800 million planned renovation to Bank of America Stadium, with $650 million coming from the city and $150 million from the team.
According to WUNC, the Panthers’ renovation project would remove existing seats in the upper bowl, replace all of the seats and add a standing-room viewing area. Other work would include replacing aging HVAC, plumbing, mechanical/electrical, elevators and escalators in the 30-year-old building. An overhaul of the sound system and new video scoreboards are expected as well.
Renovating an NFL stadium involves works that necessitate several permits and approvals, including local regulation, ADA compliance and infrastructure modernization.
Some steps along the way that developers will need to cover include:
- Initial planning and feasibility studies.
- Zoning and land use approvals.
- Environmental impact assessments.
- Community and stakeholder assessments.
- Special permits and licenses based on signage, noise, traffic and alcohol use.
- Safety compliance and accessibility standards.
- Financing and legal approvals.
- Inspections and opening approvals to address any issues that arise during construction.
This process can be lengthy. Before ground is even broken, developers will need to submit plans and receive the go-ahead from local authorities just like any other project. The process is slightly different because of the scope of the project, but the same building codes still apply. These include permits to cover safety regulations, environmental requirements and any other stipulations set forth by the city of Cleveland or the state of Ohio.
Every jurisdiction sets minimum requirements for how structural systems, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), natural gas systems and other aspects of residential and commercial buildings should be designed and constructed.
Structural integrity naturally degrades over time so expect extensive upgrades to keep the venue safe and stable for another 25 years. These overhauls all must meet today’s code requirements.
Upgrading older stadiums goes well beyond modernizing ramps and elevators in order to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which have seen a series of revisions since the Cleveland stadium opened in 1999. It also includes additions such as accessible restrooms and additional parking space.
Infrastructure modernization includes renovations and improvements to areas such as seating, accessibility, lighting and safety enhancements.
A tipoff on whether the team agrees to renovate the existing stadium or build a new one is where these permits get filed. Cleveland and Brook Park are separate jurisdictions and what is permissible in one does not necessarily mean it is permissible in the other. Watch that space to know what sides are thinking.
Share this Post