BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - As Erie County moves forward with plans for additional studies on a convention center, the prospect of a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills in Downtown Buffalo continues to loom.
CAA Icon in January asked Bills fans for their thoughts on a downtown stadium for the football team and there's a suggestion that Buffalo could create a new stadium that is also a convention center, similar to what Indianapolis has.
Earlier this week, the county revealed that most people surveyed believe that Erie County should remain in the convention center business, which warrants additional studies for two sites. One of those sites is the current convention center site on Franklin Street. The other site is at the HSBC lot by the Sabres arena.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said he was not going to talk about a downtown Bills stadium when he made his announcement on Wednesday regarding the results of the county's survey.
Erie County Legislator April Baskin, who is Chair of the Economic Development Committee, told us that she's excited Erie County will continue research on a convention center.
She said that it's going to be up to the Pegula's whether or not Erie County should incorporate a downtown stadium into their studies on a convention center.
"The arena location isn't really feasible," Lorigo said about public perception of a convention center. "All of the infrastructure, entertainment, businesses, and hotels, are closer to the (Franklin Street) location. I'm not looking to spend an additional $250,000 to study the (HSBC lot) because I think it's a waste of money."
Lorigo said the Pegula's are showing a willingness to keep the stadium in Orchard Park because of the investments they've made there.
The Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres stadium studies should be complete by mid-summer.