CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined the owner of the Cleveland Indians and local leaders Thursday to talk about the lease for Progressive Field.
Press Secretary Dan Tierney told FOX 8 earlier this month the governor was asked to assist with the “lease negotiations” by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish.
The current lease expires in 2023.
The city, county, state, and team came to an agreement on a proposed 15-year lease.
The new lease will include funds to renovate Progressive Field.
Progressive Field is the 11th oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.
The proposed enhancements include transforming the left-field experience inclusive of the Terrace Club, re-imagining the upper deck concourse, and creating a larger Dugout level social space.
Here are some renderings of the proposed changes.
“The Indians never threatened to sell or leave,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish.
He says there will be no new taxes and that the cost would be shared across the city, county, state, and team.
“A victory for everyone,” shared Gov. DeWine.
The lease must be approved by the city council.
The prospective agreement includes extensions to potentially add an additional 10 years to the lease agreement, extending it through 2046.
“Most important, we keep the Indians, or the Guardians, here in Cleveland,” Budish said.
There is no word on when that vote will go to council.
LIVE UPDATES
- Armond Budish, County Executive: “The Indians never threatened to sell or leave.”
- Budish: “We chose renovation.”
- 15-year lease
- Cost will be shared across city, county, state and team
- Budish says there will be no new taxes
- Budish touts tax revenue and jobs in supporting the team
- “Most important, we keep the Indians, or the Guardians, here in Cleveland.” – Budish
- Must be approved by city and county council
- “A victory for everyone,” said Gov. DeWine
