Results of Bills stadium study released

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The results of the Buffalo Bills stadium study were released by Empire State Development Tuesday afternoon.

News10NBC is still reviewing the 91-page document, but there are some key takeaways. AECOM, a multinational engineering and consulting firm, was contracted to conduct the study.

The study found that it will cost $862 million to renovate Highmark Stadium. A Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) spokesperson said it would cost about $1 billion to renovate Highmark Stadium, and that PSE did not see that as an option.

It found that it will cost $1.35 billion to build a new stadium in Orchard Park, but if that new stadium were built in Downtown Buffalo, it would cost $350 million more, and adding a roof on the stadium downtown would add on an extra $300 million.

The site downtown would likely have Louisiana Street to the west, South Park Avenue to the south, Hamburg Street to the east and I-190 to the north, but two other sites within a half-mile of that site are also being considered.

The site for a new stadium in Orchard Park would be to the west of where Highmark Stadium stands now, across from Abbot Road, where lots three and four are currently.

The study encourages New York State, Erie County and the Buffalo Bills to proceed with building a new stadium over renovating the current one, but it stops short of encouraging them to pick a particular location.

The Bills’ lease on Highmark Stadium is up in July of 2023. Bills owners Kim and Terry Pegula have made it clear that they will seek taxpayer funding to help pay for part of the cost of a new stadium.

The Buffalo Bills’ own consultants have come up with a very similar number, $1.4 billion for a new stadium that would include about 60,000 seats and 60 suites. They’d like to build it basically across the street from where the current stadium stands in Orchard Park.

The state started discussions with the Pegulas back in May about how much taxpayers will kick in. Those discussions are still underway.

Governor Hochul, who hails from Buffalo and is a die-hard Bills fan herself, has said repeatedly she is committed to ensuring the Bills stay in Buffalo.

Read the full study below (mobile users, click here):

ESD Bills Stadium Analysis Summary FINAL 11-1-21 by News10NBC on Scribd

News10NBC will continue to report updates as they come.