BEREA, Ohio – Before officially announcing a proposed mixed-use development near the Cleveland Browns practice facility, Haslam/Cleveland Browns Sports Group Director of Sales Operations Monica Lince presented a conceptual overview of the nearly 16-acre undertaking to the Berea City Council during a special meeting Oct. 28.

In partnership with Berea City Schools, DiGeronimo Companies, University Hospitals and Berea City officials, Haslam Sports Group (HSG) envisions “CrossCountry Mortgage Campus District 46” as not only a new neighborhood, but also a destination.

The name “District 46” pays homage to the year the Browns were founded.

Planned amenities include a 7,000-seat community multi-sport field, 130-unit upscale hotel, 45,000-square-foot UH Sports Medicine Center, 150 market-rate apartments, community sports field/recreation center (which Lince called “a phase 2 element”). ), parking, a Fan Experience feature, a roundabout, open plazas and numerous retail spaces occupying the first floor of both apartment buildings.

The community domain will be at the center of development.

“We hope to have events there year-round,” Lince said.

“It will also be the new home of the Berea City School District’s Friday night football games…and their commencement (ceremonies) in May or June.”

Berea City Council is poised to soon pass two pieces of legislation, one authorizing Mayor Cyril Kleem to amend the Browns’ current training facility lease agreement, and the other to allow it to sell city-owned property to HSG’s Berea Mixed Use Development LLC so that District 46 can be built on. The second order also provides tax increment financing and project-related incentives.

Additionally, negotiations are underway for the Browns to “agree not to exercise the opt-out clause on their current headquarters lease in 2039 and 2040… (with) revenues for Berea that will amount to approximately $14.4 million for the additional two years.” according to information provided by Kleem.

Under the new deal, the Browns would agree to two five-year lease extensions at their discretion…with estimated revenue for Berea of ​​approximately $38.8 million for the first five years and $43.6 million for the second , Kleem said.

Work could begin as early as the first quarter of 2025.

Final project plans will require Berea Planning Commission and city council approvals.

“It looks great,” Council President Jim Maxwell told Lince. “This has been a long time coming.”

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