Cleveland and Brook Park Reach Agreement to Settle Longstanding Litigation

August 2, 2026

The City of Cleveland and the City of Brook Park have moved to resolve nearly a decade of legal disputes regarding the International Exposition Center (I-X Center) and the Emerald Park Joint Economic Development Zone. Through the passage of emergency ordinance 664-2026, Cleveland officials are authorized to enter into a first amendment to a 2001 settlement agreement that previously addressed the expansion of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and residential acquisition programs.

What's in the file

The ordinance authorizes the Mayor and the Directors of Law and Port Control to amend the 2001 Settlement Agreement to settle ongoing litigation initiated by Brook Park in 2017. The amendment seeks to resolve disputes by changing how tax revenues are shared and how certain properties are managed.

Key provisions of the amendment include:

Revenue Control: Cleveland will receive all tax revenues and income derived from the I-X Center and the Emerald Park properties.
Legal Reimbursement: Cleveland will provide a one-time lump sum payment to Brook Park to cover legal fees and costs related to the litigation.
Property Conveyance: Cleveland will transfer ownership of approximately 34 acres of land—formerly part of "Zones 1 through 4" of the Residential Acquisition Program (RAP)—to Brook Park.
Residential Program Changes: The city’s obligation to make acquisition offers under the RAP is terminated. Brook Park is granted the right to design and implement its own "Residential Program" for property owners in Zones 5 and 6.
Special Revenue Fund: The city will establish the Brook Park Settlement Special Revenue Fund (Fund No. 10 SF 989) to manage the payments to Brook Park.

Provision	Amount or Term
Legal fees reimbursement	$2,000,000
Annual Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT)	$650,000
PILOT duration	33 years

Who may be affected

City of Brook Park – Will receive a one-time legal fee payment, annual tax payments, and approximately 34 acres of property.
Cleveland Department of Finance – Will administer the newly established Special Revenue Fund.
Cleveland Department of Law and Port Control – Authorized to execute the amendment and related property deeds.
Residential Property Owners in Zones 5 and 6 – Will be subject to a new Residential Program designed and implemented by Brook Park.

Status and timeline

The ordinance has passed the City Council and is now moving toward implementation, though its final effectiveness depends on federal oversight.

May 15, 2026 – Ordinance 664-2026 was introduced to the Council.
July 24, 2026 – The ordinance was recorded as passed.

What to watch next

The amendment will not officially become effective until the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) either approves the amendment and property transfer or affirmatively declines to exercise jurisdiction over them.

Residents can verify these details by reviewing the official record for File No. 664-2026 on the Cleveland City Council website.

Source record

File: 664-2026
Type: Emergency Ordinance
Status: Passed
Committee: City Council
Introduced: May 14, 2026

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