Delete WardMaking a Public Comment
Council welcomes public comment before regular council meetings. Fill out the online form below for your chance to make a public comment at the next regular Monday Council meeting. Please read the revised rules and procedures.
Registrations can also be submitted:
* In person at Cleveland City Hall, Room 220, 601 Lakeside Ave. NE. Paper forms are available to register.
* If you don't want to fill out the online form below, you can download this form and fill it out, and email it to publiccomment@clevelandcitycouncil.gov or drop it off at Council offices. (Parking at City Hall on the upper lot is free on Mondays after 5 pm when Council is meeting.) If you need assistance, language, or disability, go here to make a request (at least 3 days in advance.)
Make a Comment in Person
Registrations to speak up to 3 minutes at a regular council meeting can be submitted between noon Wednesday and 2 pm on the Monday before a regular 7 pm council meeting. (Early, incomplete and false registrations are not accepted.) Only the first 10 are accepted.
Make a Comment Online
If you don't want to speak at a Council meeting, please submit your written comments below.
Public Comments
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My name is Nicole Phelps; I cultivate a space in the community garden on West 47th Street. This garden has been in our neighborhood for nearly 20 years and is a staple in our community. My husband and I were fortunate enough join the neighborhood in October of 2023 and are active participants in the community. Our first summer was an amazing experience; we built connections with our neighbors by working a plot and attending activities held in the garden as a third space. Green spaces like our garden are a vital place of reprieve in our dense Cleveland neighborhoods and are just as important as public parks, serving a specific need for space we can share and utilize.
Recently, our community learned that a private real estate developer is exploring development of our garden for housing, and we have serious concerns. By converting free, public spaces into private housing, we enrich some at the expense of many. Moreover, as federal funds for initiatives like our community garden disappear, we must carefully protect such public amenities.
I have two requests of the Council and City:
1) Please help our neighborhood retain our treasured community garden, and
2) Please protect other community green spaces throughout Cleveland.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
I understand this is a difficult request and a long process. However, failing to take this step is a missed opportunity to secure the future of a once-great city, particularly after planned investments to our infrastructure and economy were pulled due to the petulant tantrums from what remains of the United States government.
It is often said that the captain goes down with the ship. I am no captain, and I propose we sprint at full speed toward the lifeboat on the other side of our lovely lake.
Economic Benefits
The construction of a new, state-of-the-art domed stadium, along with an adjacent mixed-use development, is projected to cost $2.4 billion. This investment promises to transform the area into a vibrant hub for sports, entertainment, and commerce. By annexing the stadium site, Cleveland would directly benefit from the increased tax revenues generated by this development, including property taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes from new job creation. These funds could be reinvested into essential city services, infrastructure improvements, and community programs, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
Preservation of the City’s Identity
The Cleveland Browns are an integral part of our city’s heritage and identity. Their presence within city limits reinforces community pride and cohesion. Allowing the stadium to be built outside of Cleveland’s jurisdiction could dilute this connection and potentially lead to a loss of cultural significance. Annexation ensures that the team’s home remains synonymous with the city it represents, preserving our rich sports legacy.
Legal and Logistical Considerations
The current lease for Huntington Bank Field is set to expire after the 2028 season. The Browns’ owners have expressed intentions to relocate to Brook Park, citing better fan access and parking opportunities. However, the City of Cleveland has invoked the “Modell Law,” which requires teams using tax-supported facilities to seek city authorization before relocating. By annexing the proposed site, we can resolve potential legal disputes, retain the team’s location within our jurisdiction, and ensure that the economic benefits of the new development accrue to Cleveland.
Historical Precedent
Cleveland has a history of strategic annexations to promote growth and development. For instance, in 1947, Cleveland annexed over 1,000 acres, including the airport, from Brook Park, which facilitated the expansion of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. This move proved beneficial for the city’s economic development and infrastructure. Similarly, annexing the stadium site would align with our city’s tradition of proactive growth strategies.
Conclusion
Annexing the proposed stadium site in Brook Park into the City of Cleveland presents a unique opportunity to secure economic growth, preserve our cultural identity, and uphold our legal interests. I urge the City Council to consider this strategic move to ensure that the benefits of the new stadium and its associated developments are fully realized within our city’s boundaries.
I want to address council’s utter lack of immediate transparency regarding new wards. If we have new wards that are not easily found on this site, how do we know who is running for primaries? Letting us know directly before primaries strips us of our rights to spend time researching, meeting with, campaigning for, or generally reviewing our potential new council members. Council has slowly been showing disrespect for their own constituents- revive this by making this information open and clear and do it as soon as possible.
Moreover, it's frustrating that our city council often overlooks the concerns of young people like us. We are speaking up about these issues, yet it feels like our voices are not being heard. We need to work together for a safer community and ensure that those in power are listening to us. It’s time for change, and we must advocate for a system that truly serves and protects everyone. Thank you for your attention.
Where's the ROI on a bridge that appears to serve very few people and requures ongoing upkeep?
Cleveland City Council voted to support the Ohio Issue 1 in the November 2024 election to create fair maps at the state level, so we ask Council to also change the city charter to take the mapping process out of the hands of the council president and give the power to the citizens. Should Council not do that, many of us are prepared to take the issue to the ballot by petition.