A proposal to ward off bird strikes at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with a translucent coating ruffled feathers at Wednesday’s meeting of Gateway Economic Development Corporation.
The FieldHouse, with its broad stretch of reflective glass along Huron Road, presents a hazard to birds winging through downtown Cleveland.
Gateway, the nonprofit that spends taxpayer money on the arena and ballpark, ultimately signed off on the $845,975 expense. But one of Gateway’s new board members warned that there isn’t much public money to spare for the Cavaliers arena.
Debbie Berry, a top official in Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne’s office, was named by her boss to Gateway’s board in January. At Wednesday’s meeting, she questioned whether the film met the definition of an arena “capital repair” that Gateway is obligated to pay for.
She also asked whether the coating would work. Cavaliers representatives said the film, which wouldn’t be visible to the human eye, came recommended by a chapter of the Audubon Society.
“I don’t want to argue with the Audubon Society, I really don’t have anything against birds,” Berry replied, “but we’re making a significant investment when there are not a lot of dollars readily available.”
Repairs at the FieldHouse have already exceeded the resources raised for stadiums by Cuyahoga County’s sin tax on alcohol and cigarettes. Last year, Gateway approved $24.4 million for elevator repairs and a video hardware overhaul, although the county had just $10 million in sin tax dollars remaining for the arena.
Antony Bonavita, the Cavaliers’ executive vice president for venue operations, reminded Gateway’s board that the NBA franchise is fronting that $24.4 million in the hopes of reimbursement. Asked if the team could split the $845,975 with Gateway, he replied in the negative.
“We’re laying out $25 million right now in hope that we’re going to get it back at some point,” Bonavita said. “We are maxed out.”
Ultimately, Gateway and the Cavaliers agreed to a deal. Gateway approved the bird deterrent film, and in exchange, the team agreed to wait on its request for an arena curtain wall replacement. The Cavaliers will pay for any cost overruns on the bird deterrent.
Gateway’s new board chair, GiGi Benjamin, and board member Bryce Sylvester voted in favor of the deal. Berry voted against it.
The Cavaliers hope to install the film before the fall 2024 season – not the next NBA season, that is, but the next season for bird migrations.
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Gateway, the nonprofit managing your tax dollars for sports facilities, explained
The nonprofit signs off on repairs to Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on behalf of those paying a ‘sin tax’ on alcohol and cigarettes. But its influence and financial liability extends well beyond.
