CLEVELAND, Ohio – Some members of Cleveland City Council warned Monday that the Cleveland Indians will have to explain why a $435-million proposal for improvements at Progressive Field is important for Clevelanders, if they hope to win the council’s approval.
Council’s Finance Committee got its first briefing on the plan, which would extend the baseball club’s lease until at least 2036. In exchange, the city, Cuyahoga County, the state and the team, which soon will become the Cleveland Guardians, would finance improvements to keep the stadium viable for years.
But in a city that has been ranked among those with the highest rates of poverty, the case will have to be made to residents why a viable stadium matters, members said.
“I hope this conversation gets to be about the economic importance in our community and not just about rich sports owners,” Councilman Blaine Griffin said.
Councilman Mike Polensek was more to the point.
“At the end of the day, we’re talking about quality of life. … I have families that are struggling every day just to keep a roof over their heads,” he said.
“I’m going to be asking, ‘What have you got for us?’” Polensek said. “I want to know what you’ve done (to help the community).”
Councilman Brian Kazy noted that many Clevelanders cannot afford to go to the ballpark and will not favor the deal.
“This one’s going to be a hard sell, and I understand the economic impact,” Kazy said. “When everyone comes to the table, come prepared.”
Legislation approving the deal will still be vetted by several City Council committees.
Ken Silliman, board chair for the Gateway Economic Development Corp., said the team, Gateway personnel and the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corp. that works with landowners around the stadium and arena will be ready with detailed presentations to those committees. They intend to show why the deal is a good investment for Cleveland.
Council President Kevin Kelley said he did not have a particular timeline for when the plan could come up for a final vote. That will depend on how quickly the committees proceed, he said.
The proposal now calls for the new lease to take effect in January 2022.
Cuyahoga County Council also is considering the plan. It introduced the legislation last week and referred it to committees for vetting.
The proposal calls for $9 million a year in support from the county for 15 years. Cleveland would kick in $8 million annually. The state has pledged $2 million a year. The team would kick in $4.5 million a year.
The deal includes about $202.5 million in proposed renovations to the ballpark, plus routine maintenance and capital repairs. Some renovations could be completed by 2023. Others would not be finished until 2025.
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