Mayor Bibb speaks on Browns stadium after State of the City address

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb delivered his 2024 State of the City address on Thursday and, for the first time, FOX 8 was able to speak to the mayor directly about negotiations for the future of Cleveland Browns Stadium.

“We’re creating new jobs, paving pathways to home ownership and improving our neighborhoods, building a safer, stronger city for every resident,” said the mayor during his speech.

Mayor Bibb spoke to hundreds of people during his 2024 State of the City address at the Mimi Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square. It was sponsored, in part, by the City Club of Cleveland.

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He touted improvements in crime, plans for education and a vision for a bustling downtown lakefront.

This week, the owners of the Cleveland Browns floated the idea of either renovating the downtown stadium or building a domed stadium near the airport in Brook Park.

After his address, we asked the mayor how his administration plans to keep Browns Stadium in the city.

“I can’t comment on the specific aspects of the deal because we are currently in active negotiations, but as I said before, we want a competitive, responsible deal that keeps the Browns downtown in Cleveland and we know everyone wants to ensure that we have as well, a world class lakefront and hopefully the Browns will be a part of that future lakefront development,” the mayor said.

During his address, Mayor Bibb said his goal is to stop crime before it happens and respond effectively when it occurs.

“Homicides were down last year for the second year in a row and since the pandemic, homicides have decreased by 14%,” he said.

The mayor noted increased pay for police officers, as well as recruits, touting 52 cadets who started training this week.

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He says some paramedics will get more pay and the city purchased 19 ambulances to replace part of its aging fleet.

“40,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7… You have not rescinded your support, how many Palestinians have to die?” yelled a heckler, who was eventually escorted out of the theatre.

“Let’s clap our hands for freedom of speech,” responded Bibb, while the audience applauded.

The mayor’s speech was interrupted twice by hecklers upset over the Israeli-Palestine war.

Bibb says he prays for peace.

“I don’t like to comment on foreign policy because I’m the mayor of Cleveland, I’m not a member of Congress, I’m not the Secretary of State, I’m not the President of the United States,” Bibb told reporters after the address.

Mayor Bibb did not give specifics, but says the school district cannot operate with what he calls an outdated building footprint. He says re-aligning the vision won’t be easy.

“Instead of allocating funds to keep up aging buildings, let’s fund after-school programs and tolls for teachers,” he said.

He also says to combat the program of vacant buildings and absentee landlords, people who rent buildings in the city will have to have a person actually living in the county, who will be responsible for the property.

“The state of our city is strong and we’re just getting started,” Bibb said as he ended his address.

Bibb says next week the city is opening a portal for easy access for city records online.

Bibb also says some paramedics will get more pay, and the city purchased 19 new ambulances to replace part of its aging fleet.

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