Featured image credit: MSA Design
Hamilton County has called on the State of Ohio to contribute $350m (£266.8m/€305.8m) towards a proposed redevelopment of Paycor Stadium after $600m was set aside for another potential NFL venue project.
The Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns are at the centre of two high-profile stadium projects in Ohio – a major revamp for the former, and a new home for the latter. Hamilton County, owner of Paycor Stadium, is currently weighing up options to extend the life of the venue, which opened in 2000.
In October, it was reported that investigations into potentially adding a dome to fully enclose Paycor Stadium had found that such a project would cost up to $1bn. Hamilton County in September set out a $1.2bn redevelopment plan that aims to transform the home of the Bengals into a more campus-style environment.
The Paycor Stadium Complex Renovation Proposal was produced by the sports arm of Cincinnati-based MSA Design, as part of a stadium master planning process jointly funded by the county and the Bengals.
MSA Sports’ vision aims to increase public engagement, improve accessibility, and better connect with the surrounding community while sustaining the long-term future and competitiveness of the team in its home on the Cincinnati Riverfront.
The financing request now made to the state scales back the project somewhat, removing a new indoor practice facility that would be located next to the stadium. In addition to new corporate offices, this element would have cost an estimated $337m, according to September’s plan.
Instead, the redevelopment project is now focusing on stadium-wide vertical transportation improvements, maintaining and upgrading stadium infrastructure, replacing and enhancing the canopy and roofing systems and a revamp of the North End Zone.
Club and suite renovations are also planned; along with additional field level club, suites and seats; stadium concourse and plaza improvements; and upgraded fan entry and gate security technology, as well as modernised stadium audiovisual technology.
In its $350m request to the State of Ohio, the County said it is now targeting a circa $830m redevelopment, stating that a new NFL stadium would cost at least $2.4bn. The County said it has worked with the Bengals to “prudently maintain” Paycor Stadium as an NFL-calibre facility such that additional targeted investments will extend the useful life of the stadium.
It added that the two parties have invested $240m in the stadium over the past six years alone, stating that because they “took care of the Stadium and protected the taxpayer’s investment”, constructing a new NFL stadium is not necessary.
The request comes a day after the Ohio House approved a two-year state budget proposal that included $600m in bonds for the Browns to build their proposed new domed stadium at Brook Park.
“My concern is the fact the state budget seems to be focusing more on the Cleveland Browns,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Our lease ends before theirs. Just wondering why is there so much focus on the Browns. It’s not due to lack of effort on our part.”
In response, Ohio House Finance Chair Brian Stewart said Bengals and Hamilton County first made an approach for money for stadium upgrades in February, but didn’t set out a concrete plan until the end of last week. At that point, it was too late to add to the budget passed Wednesday.
However, Stewart added: “Between now and July 1 there’s going to be an awful lot of changes to the budget.”
The Browns’ financing deal under the state budget would see Ohio issue $600m in bonds towards the $2.4bn stadium, which would be repaid through state tax revenue generated from the facility and its associated mixed-use development.
The Browns’ owners, Haslam Sports Group (HSG), would pay $1.2bn, with Cuyahoga County and the City of Brook Park also expected to contribute $600m. The Browns in February proposed a funding model for its planned new stadium in Brook Park, with almost $1.2bn of public backing being sought.
The stadium portion of the project is projected to cost about $2.4bn, with HSG seeking a 50-50 public-private partnership. The private funding is worth $1.2bn, as well as any cost overruns. HSG is seeking almost $1.2bn in public funding, which would comprise three components: the City of Brook Park, Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio.
The Browns last month upped the ante in their efforts to relocate to Brook Park by amending their complaint in a federal suit against the City of Cleveland. The Browns determination to improve their stadium situation has led to an increasingly fractious relationship with Cleveland authorities, who are seeking to push their claim to retaining the team at a redeveloped Huntington Bank Field.
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