By building the stadium in Orchard Park, the city lost out over the years, similar to how it lost out when the University at Buffalo was relocated to Amherst. Wyatt, and adopted moments ago, Common Council members noted that it was a mistake to relocate the Bills stadium outside of the city. In the resolution sponsored by University District Council Member Rasheed N.C. At this potential location, nearly 90% of the 36 acre site is currently City-owned property A handful of potential sites have been suggested (see Council resolution below). This was only an exercise to provide an example of how a stadium might fit within the context of a downtown setting. The call for a downtown stadium is supplemented by BMS Design Studio massing renderings, which demonstrate the potential placement of a stadium, as it relates to South Park Avenue. A downtown stadium would also benefit the region as a whole, similar to how other cities/regions with downtown stadiums flourish. All of these benefits would go hand-in-hand with a downtown move, making it a no-brainer decision. By building a stadium in the heart of the city, there would be tremendous benefits, including a boost to Buffalo’s food, retail, hotel, convention, and tourism industries, new jobs, and stronger investment in public transportation options. For the first time, the Pegulas (through their paid spokesman) have sent a clear message to the world that, if they don’t get what they want - i.e., if the public officials in and around Buffalo decide they don’t want a team - the Pegulas will take the team to a place that does.Buffalo’s Common Council is “advocating for the serious consideration and exploration of the feasibility of a downtown Buffalo Bills stadium.” This latest move is intended to build additional momentum for the placement of a downtown stadium, by “calling on all City, County, and State representatives of the City of Buffalo to advocate for the serious consideration and exploration of the feasibility of a downtown Buffalo Bills stadium.” BMS Design StudioĪfter weighing proposals for different locations, Common Council members felt that downtown was the best option for a number of reasons. It’s definitely going to happen somewhere.
It remains to be seen whether a new stadium is going to happen in Buffalo. It would be about a billion dollars to renovate the stadium - and not only is that unrealistic and not wise, it’s just not going to happen.” “It would cost a lot of money to replace the electrical systems and the water systems, which are many decades now out of date. “It would cost 500 million to replace the upper deck,” Wilkinson said. Wilkinson reiterated the notion that further renovation of the current facility makes no sense. Wilkinson also said that the Pegulas want to build a new stadium across the street from the current one, in Orchard Park.
That’s a direct quote from the person hired by Bills ownership to say things on their behalf. They are going to have to decide if they want a team. You can’t really do plans and designs on things until you have a deal, and right now the City of Buffalo and the State are going to have to decide if they want a team.” “They would like to build it right there and we need to hear back. “The Pegulas have made a proposal,” Wilkinson said.
Pegula Sports and Entertainment spokesman Jim Wilkinson made some strong comments to WIVB-TV on Tuesday, making it clear that the stadium negotiations are indeed occurring with a clear “or else” in mind. Although the initial story from the Buffalo News expressly stated that the team had made “ no overt threats” to leave town, something far closer to an overt threat has happened. For the Bills, the leverage comes from a potential relocation. And while that’s right, no good negotiation can happen without leverage.