Browns Stadium Site Requires Additional Cleanup for Residential Use

Haslam Sports Group working with Ohio EPA to remediate property for planned apartments

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Haslam Sports Group's $3.4 billion mixed-use development in Brook Park, Ohio, which includes a new covered stadium for the Cleveland Browns, is slated to feature over 1,500 apartments. However, an agreement with the Ohio EPA only allows for commercial and industrial uses on the former Ford Motor Co. manufacturing site, requiring additional remediation before residential use can be approved.

Why it matters

The planned apartments are a key component of the larger mixed-use development, which is expected to bring $1 billion in private investment to the region. Ensuring the site is properly remediated to residential standards is crucial for the successful execution of the project's vision.

The details

The Ohio EPA granted a 'covenant not to sue' to prior owners in 2024, indicating the property was clean enough for manufacturing and commercial purposes but not residential use. Haslam Sports Group is now working with consultants to obtain the necessary approvals from the Ohio EPA for residential use, which could include additional soil removal, vapor barriers, and groundwater treatment. Construction on the apartments could begin before a new agreement is reached, but they cannot be occupied until the Ohio EPA verifies the property meets residential standards.

  • In 2024, the Ohio EPA granted a 'covenant not to sue' to prior owners, allowing for commercial and industrial use but not residential.
  • Excavation at the Brook Park location began in March 2026.

The players

Haslam Sports Group

The developer partnering with Lincoln Properties Company on the $3.4 billion mixed-use development, including a new stadium for the Cleveland Browns.

Ohio EPA

The state environmental agency that granted the 'covenant not to sue' and must approve any changes to the allowed uses of the former Ford Motor Co. manufacturing site.

Ford Motor Co.

The former owner of the manufacturing site, which produced engines and engine components for over half a century before selling the property to real estate developers in 2021.

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What they’re saying

“The remedial work to allow commercial and industrial use at the site has been completed, however if residential use is proposed – the landowner would have to clean up the property to residential standards.”

— Bryant Somerville, Ohio EPA spokesman (cleveland.com)

“We've been working with our consultants HZW since 2024 to ensure all the appropriate steps and measures are taken for EPA residential approvals prior to any occupancy. It's critical for these protocols to be in place so you can re-develop and re-purpose parcels that are no longer in use into vibrant communities that can be economic drivers for the region.”

— Haslam Sports Group (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Haslam Sports Group says it is confident the project, including the apartments, will go forward without interruption once the necessary approvals are obtained from the Ohio EPA for residential use of the site.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of redeveloping former industrial sites, where additional environmental remediation is often required to allow for residential use, even after the property has been deemed suitable for commercial and manufacturing purposes.