Browns exercise clause that will allow purchase of land for Brook Park stadium project

The Cleveland Browns have executed the clause that gives them the right to purchase 176 acres of land in Brook Park that would start the process of the team relocating to that Cleveland suburb.

The Browns announced plans to build a new enclosed stadium and mixed-use development that would potentially include apartments, restaurants and retail in October.

The site — off I-71 — was formerly the home to a Ford plant.

“While work remains with our public partners on the project, this is a key step in our efforts to create a responsible long-term stadium solution that delivers a world-class experience for our fans, attracts more large-scale events for our region and positively impacts our local economy,” Browns chief operating officer Dave Jenkins said in a release.

Although this is a step in bringing the organization’s vision closer to reality, there may still be hurdles to overcome.

Cuyahoga County executive Chris Ronayne has been cold toward the project, despite the team remaining within county limits. Just this week Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb sent Jimmy and Dee Haslam a letter sharing his intent to invoke the “Modell Law,” a piece of legislation enacted when then team owner Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore in 1996.

According to the Modell Law, no team playing in a tax-supported facility can move without agreement from the city where they play or without providing six months’ notice with a chance to buy the team.

The Haslams preemptively filed a lawsuit against the city in October to have the law declared unconstitutional.

The team’s potential move has been fraught with drama as the sides appear to be engaged in a battle in the court of public opinion.