Cleveland Browns lakefront project

The video above is from a previous report.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) – The Ohio Department of Transportation has agreed to help the City of Cleveland with land bridge project.

After reviewing the proposal, ODOT’s Office of Employment and Commerce committed to funding the city $2.5 million for the planning and engineering work needed for the project.

Cleveland Browns the owners, Jimmy and Dee Haslam worked with city ​​of Cleveland for over two years with plans to enhance the surrounding area FirstEnergy Stadium.

One of the largest plans in the proposal would be a land bridge running from the roof of the Huntington Convention Center, all the way to the roof. Lake Erie.

The mayor’s office and Haslam Sports Group released the following statement regarding ODOT’s decision:

“We appreciate the time ODOT has spent reviewing the City’s TRAC application for lakefront views. We had productive conversations with ODOT and understood their funding recommendation today based on the preliminary phase of this project. ODOT has made it clear that they support the Mayor’s vision and that the proposed work as next steps for this effort will help drive economic development for our city and the region. We continue to have strong community support for our vision and will work with ODOT on potential alternative funding sources to align with the City’s commitment to discovering the best way to connect. pedestrians and cyclists with the region’s largest natural resource, Lake Erie. “

“The $2.5 million awarded from ODOT along with corresponding city funds will provide a substantial $5 million to advance the planning and engineering work required for the land bridge project. Now that the fund has been committed, an scope for the first phase of this work will be finalized, after which the project procurement and agreement process will begin in conjunction with ODOT. We look forward to continuing to work with ODOT and other stakeholders to move this important project forward. “

The City of Cleveland has applied for federal funding to enable the city to conduct research, evaluation, and public comment on the proposed plans. The finalists for that grant will be announced in August.