Bills’ new $1.4bn stadium is ‘almost in the end zone’ after the framework is unanimously approved
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The Bills’ new $1.4 billion stadium is ‘almost in the end zone’ after the framework passes unanimously with the deal set to keep the team in Buffalo for another 30 years.
A stadium deal, which will keep the Bills in Buffalo for another 30 years, is nearly complete.
The Bills moved one step closer to their new home, which will be built across the street from their current Highmark Stadium, this week.
A deal for the Bills’ new stadium cleared one of the final administrative hurdles Monday after it was unanimously approved by the Erie Count Stadium Corp.
A stadium deal, which will keep the Bills in Buffalo for another 30 years, is nearly complete.
The Bills’ new stadium (pictured: renderings) cleared one of the final administrative hurdles
Under an agreement announced last March, New York state will contribute $600 million to the $1.4 billion project, while Erie County will add $250 million.
The state will also benefit from its investment in the deal that requires the Bills to stay in Buffalo for 30 years, as the team contributes $27 million a year in state and local taxes, according to Front Office Sports.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has pushed for a community benefits program, said the deal was “almost in the end zone.”
Hochul added that the Bills have committed more than $3 million to a variety of local causes.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured on Bills merchandise) said he was “almost in the end zone”
“This is important to us, to make sure that the community has a stake in this,” he said. ‘A community benefits advisory board will be established, with representation from the entire region and community.
‘There is more than $3 million that the Buffalo Bills are committing to use for multiple purposes. I don’t want to presume that we know what this community is going to do, but it’s going to help invest in projects that matter, and also make sure that when it comes to construction and concessions, that (minority and women-owned business enterprises) and representatives from other underserved communities have opportunities that did not exist before. ‘
The Bills, who were knocked out of playoff contention on Sunday with a 27-10 loss to the Bengals at their current stadium, Highmark, hope to have their new home ready for the 2026 season.
The Bills were knocked out of playoff contention by the Bengals at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.
However, this week’s approval is not the last hurdle for the deal, there will be a public hearing at the stadium on February 2.
After the public hearing, the Erie County Legislature and County Executive Mark Poloncarz will be able to sign the paperwork.
The NFL has already approved the deal, and the Bills released renderings of the proposed stadium in October.
After the renderings were published, many were delighted with the ultra-modern new stadium, but some noted the striking resemblance to Tottenham Hotspur and joked that they were copying the English soccer team.
In fact, that may not be too far from the truth, given that the Bills’ owners have hired the same designers, Populous, that Tottenham did a few years ago.
The Kansas City-based architecture firm has designed 1,325 stadiums at a cost of $23 billion, according to its website, including the Jacksonville Jaguars’ TIAA Bank Field, the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami Dolphins’ Kyle Field. Texas A&M.
The NFL has already approved it and the Bills hope to have their new home ready by 2026