A final decision about where Buffalo Pro Soccer will develop its new stadium is just weeks away.
But, this much is clear - the stadium will be developed within the City of Buffalo and not in any suburban location, stressed Peter Marlette Jr., Buffalo Pro Soccer president.
"It will absolutely be in Buffalo," Marlette said.
Optimistically, Marlette said a final decision could come by mid to late December,
The site search has been going on in earnest since Buffalo Pro Soccer, this summer, dropped plans to build the stadium at the former Medaille University sports complex on Elk Street. Those plans were scrapped because of push back from some surrounding commercial neighbors including PVC Chemical.
While Marlette would not comment on any one site, sources have confirmed that at least two Cobblestone District sites are on the short list including a parking lot along Scott Street that sits almost directly behind the vacant HSBC Atrium building.
If not in the Cobblestone District, other downtown and Buffalo waterfront sites are also being considered.
"We still some on going discussions," Marlette said. "But, we are getting close to the finish line."
Buffalo Pro Soccer hopes to build a stadium that can seat at least 7,600 people - but also be expandable to as much as a 10,000 person capacity.
The fledgling team would play in the United Soccer Championship League, one of the top tier professional soccer leagues in North America. The team hopes to begin play in 2027.
Bringing the team into downtown, especially the Cobblestone District, could be a huge economic win for the central business district with some projections of a $350 million spin off impact spread over a 30 year period.
It was also fit into downtown's sports district with such neighbors as the Buffalo Bisons at Sahlen Field, Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits at KeyBank Center; collegiate, amateur and hockey tournaments at the LECOM HarborCenter and a variety of events and leagues at the nearby Buffalo Riverworks complex.
The soccer season runs from mid-spring through mid-fall.
Marlette said local support for the new soccer team is strong with more than 2,000 people interested in season tickets.
"The support and fan base is there," Marlette said.