CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) – The Cleveland City Council has approved a plan to pay $30 million over the 15 years for upgrades at FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Browns.
Following a four-hour debate, the council passed the ordinance. The city will pay $2 million over the next 15 years — money obligated to the NFL team per a lease agreement — to help fund a $120 million renovation to the 15-year-old facility, which is owned by the city.
The Browns are financing the entire project by using a $62 million loan from the league and money from the city. The stadium improvements will include two giant scoreboards, escalators to improve pedestrian traffic and a new state-of-the-art sound system.
Several council members argued the city should be using money for other needs.
The Browns intend to begin the first phase of the project shortly after the final home game.