Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - The new Highmark Stadium is expected to open by the summer of 2026, yet, discussions over the new commercial zones around the upcoming home of the Buffalo Bills are taking place.
During an open house meeting at the Orchard Park Community Activity Center on Thursday, residents shared what they would like built near the stadium.
"The public benefits agreement requires that they integrate public transportation with the stadium. So the stadium needs to have a, part of the design, a transit stop. Hopefully light rail, but at least for busses that come right up to the stadium and drop people off with a covered area that you don't have to get out in the in the bad weather. Maybe a covered area walking to the stadium. That's what we need," stated Doug, an Orchard Park resident.
Dan, another resident says he likes the idea of bringing more businesses into the area, but he would like to see developers focus on pedestrian safety.
"I don't see any kind of plans for putting people across Abbott road. Game day, right now, they close the street down. There should probably some kind of an escalator or something going over the street, or tunnels. Because how are you gonna get people back and forth across the street all the time? If you're just going to close the street down there, I don't know if that's really the greatest idea" stated Dan.
Town Supervisor Gene Majchrzak says despite the tight timeframe, the town is on the right track. The only thing the town board is waiting on is developers.
"As far as the comprehensive plan goes, we are exactly where LaBella had put together their timetable, and we're right on track," stated Majchrzak. "We have talked to developers. It's kind of more of a wait and see type attitude. You have to remember that the stadium has been here for almost 54 years, and nothing's really changed. They're not going to invest millions of dollars on a building, and not just have 8-to-10 football games a year, so there's people that are interested, but it's going to be a wait and see."