Idea of adding dome to stadium by the lake gains popular support

CLEVELAND — The majority of Greater Clevelanders support adding a dome to Firstenergy Stadium, according to a recent poll from Baldwin Wallace University.

Nearly 70% of respondents said they somewhat or strongly support adding a dome to the stadium, which is home to the Cleveland Browns. Under 7% said they strongly opposed adding a dome, while 16% said they were not sure.

Support for the dome was consistent across racial/ethnic demographics, political affiliation, income level and whether they possessed a college degree, according to polling results.

The poll, conducted by Baldwin-wallace University’s Community Research Institute between Oct. 7 and Oct. 18, included 504 residents of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties. The general margin of error was 4.7%. The margin of error for sub-groups, such as a given demographic’s support for a policy, was higher than 4.7%, according to the poll.

The poll didn’t ask who they think should pay for the dome. Earlier this year, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam reportedly considered seeking a new, $1 billion covered stadium that would likely involve significant taxpayer investment. The current stadium, built in 1999, cost $283 million, largely funded by city bonds backed by the county’s “sin tax” on alcohol and cigarette purchases.

These poll results build on prior polls that showed Greater Clevelanders want the stadium to remain where it is and prefer renovation over a rebuild by a smaller margin.

The prospect of putting a roof on Firstenergy Stadium has been floated as a possible way to attract a Super Bowl and to enhance the lakeside stadium’s usability during the winter.