Overview

• The state aviation office rejected the Aug. 1 construction permit after finding the proposed dome would obstruct navigation near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
• The design would top out at 221 feet even with the field recessed about 80 feet, which ODOT says exceeds the allowable surface by 58 feet at that site (limit 163 feet).
• The FAA previously issued a conditional clearance and circulated the plan to 2,657 parties for comment, and records show only the City of Cleveland opposed the height.
• ODOT says it typically denies projects when an airport raises safety concerns and has offered options that include lowering the roofline, relocating farther from the airport, or pursuing an appeal.
• The Browns and Haslam Sports Group call the decision inconsistent with the FAA analysis and are meeting with ODOT as broader hurdles persist, including a city lawsuit over the team’s lease and a separate challenge to the state’s unclaimed-funds financing plan, while Brook Park continues zoning steps and questions arise over an unsigned denial letter and local filings.