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Council committee advances $2.65 million reimbursement to Browns for identified emergency repairs at Huntington Bank Field
Summary
Committee approved advancing legislation authorizing reimbursement to the Cleveland Browns for emergency repairs at Huntington Bank Field after a city audit identified $2,654,954.53 in items described as emergency capital repairs.
The Committee of the Whole advanced an emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor’s Office of Capital Projects to reimburse the Cleveland Browns Stadium Company LLC roughly $2.65 million for emergency repairs at Huntington Bank Field.
MOCAP staff presented a list of work the city’s five‑year stadium audit and annual inspections identified as emergency repairs. Architecture manager Mark Dulek read the list in committee: “the bridge connection repairs, pipe insulation, replacement of an expansion tank, replacement of sewer ejector pumps… repair of nonstructural concrete, replacement of air conditioning units in the three first‑aid rooms, replacement of chilled water pump seals… replacement of failed gutter systems… repair of joints in the seating bowl and concourses,” among other items.
City staff and Browns representatives described the work as life‑safety, mechanical and infrastructure repairs needed before the start of the season; MOCAP said some items already have been completed and others are under way. Administration counsel said the repairs fall within the audit and the lease’s emergency‑repair provisions. Committee members pressed for details on who performs the audit, dispute procedures if the Browns disagreed with the audit, and what would happen if council declined the reimbursement.
Council members repeatedly emphasized the need to avoid both unnecessary spending and letting the facility deteriorate to the point it could not be reused. Assistant director/representatives from the Browns said the audit was done by a third‑party engineer the city procured (Osborne Engineering) and that the Browns and city have used annual assessments to determine emergent work.
The ordinance will be presented to the full council for consideration; committee members requested an itemized list of completed work and outstanding repairs, and a schedule of remaining work before final payment.
