Brook Park to host public meeting on Browns stadium traffic impacts

BROOK PARK, Ohio — Residents will have a chance to learn more about how a proposed Cleveland Browns stadium could affect traffic and transportation across Brook Park and the region during a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, hosted by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency and the city.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brook Park Elementary School Auditorium, 17001 Holland Road, and will focus on regional transportation and traffic pattern changes tied to the planned stadium development.

City officials say the size and scope of the project make transportation one of Brook Park’s top concerns.

“The City of Brook Park is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed transportation system. Traffic management is the City’s primary concern,” Mayor Edward Orcutt said. “We are working with NOACA, Osborn Engineering, and their consultants to develop traffic controls and mitigation measures for the anticipated increase in vehicles.”

Preliminary modeling has identified several major corridors and intersections expected to experience the greatest traffic impacts on game days and during major events. Those include Brookpark Road, Snow Road and the proposed Ring Road, as well as Brookpark Road at Henry Ford Boulevard, Snow Road at Engle Road and Hummel Road at Henry Ford Boulevard, Orcutt said.

During Wednesday’s meeting, residents and business owners will hear updates from the city and its planning partners.

“The January 14 meeting will give the public another opportunity to learn about the project and provide feedback,” Orcutt said. “Attendees will hear updates from the City and our partners, including preliminary transportation findings and project goals, and will be invited to comment so the City and the Haslam Sports Group can refine plans for long-term success.”

NOACA, the region’s metropolitan planning organization, is working with Brook Park and other local governments to evaluate how the proposed stadium could influence local and regional roadways, transit service, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, safety and overall mobility.

Specific infrastructure upgrades have not yet been finalized. Orcutt said a number of road, signal and transit options are still under evaluation and will be shared once analysis is complete.

City leaders have also emphasized that surrounding neighborhoods will not be used to absorb stadium traffic.

“From day one I have been clear that neighborhood streets will not be used as overflow for stadium traffic,” Orcutt said. “We are developing traffic-control options, including selective road closures to nonlocal traffic on game days.”

Officials say community feedback will continue to play a key role as planning moves forward.

“Residents and businesses are encouraged to attend upcoming public meetings and open houses and to contact the City with their input,” Orcutt said. “The more these plans are reviewed and challenged by the community, the stronger and more successful the final project will be.”

NOACA describes the Jan. 14 meeting as an open forum where the public can ask questions, share perspectives and help inform how transportation needs and infrastructure opportunities are studied and reflected in future planning and decision-making.

Those who cannot attend in person can submit comments and feedback by email at noaca@mpo.noaca.org, through Mindmixer at noacalive.mindmixer.com, by mail at 1299 Superior Ave. E., Cleveland, OH 44114, or by phone at 216-241-2414, ext. 303.

Orcutt said his position on the project remains firm.

“I have said from Day 1 that this project must be a positive for the City of Brook Park,” he said. “If it is not, then I will not support it.”