Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - More than 100 would-be bidders showed up for an information session on Wednesday that focused on the demolition of the current Highmark Stadium, which itself will be replaced next year by the new $2.4 billion Highmark Stadium across the street on Abbott Road.
Led by construction managers Arc Building Partners, crews learned that a multi-phased bidding package will be released this fall, and the bids should be awarded by Christmas.
The actual demolition and remediation work, which includes turning the current stadium site into a parking lot, is expected to cost around $30 million, and is poised to begin by late winter or early spring 2026. Completion of work is expected later in 2027.
"We will be taking [the current] stadium and making it flat," said Frank Ciminelli II, Arc president and CEO.
The project is one of the last phases connected to the new Highmark Stadium, which will serve as the Buffalo Bills' new home starting in July.
Only the current stadium will be razed. The team's administration building and training center will remain.
The high profile of the project is a very attractive draw, said Carly Hill, president of Cahill Resources. It is also "a great learning experience" working side-by-side with some national firms, Hill added.
"We get to learn all their best practices," Hill said.
Jason Biscup, Seneca Steel Erectors president, said the stadium project will attract a lot of attention - and in a good way.
"Just the legacy of it," Biscup said.