The Browns have plans for a $200M mixed-use development near their headquarters in Berea, as the team has “cleared dozens of homes” in the area and is “getting close to breaking ground on something new,” according to Sean McDonnell of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. The Browns have “accumulated several acres in a mostly residential neighborhood around their headquarters,” which is home to the team’s offices and is where the team practices and hosts training camp. Browns spokesperson Peter John-Baptiste said this week that the plans “could include a hotel and a mixture of office space, retail and housing.” The new development may also “include a new recreation center and community fields for youth sports.” John-Baptiste said that the Browns plan “beginning construction before 2024 ends.” He added that this would “expand the team’s current campus by about 16 acres, roughly doubling the Browns’ Berea footprint.” According to the application, the development “would be paid for” with $206M of private investment. McDonnell noted the city of Berea is asking for $15M of state funds -- $5M for a new recreation center and $10M for a multi-purpose sports field that “would be used by the city, Berea schools and Baldwin Wallace.” He noted state funding is “only being sought for the public parts of the project.” John-Baptiste said that this Berea project is “separate” from the Browns’ stadium plans (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 5/8).
