Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - In Friday's pre-dawn hours, Tyler Radwin stopped by Munchie's Express convenience store to buy a couple of sports energy drinks.
To Munchie's, located at the corner of Southwestern Boulevard and Abbott Road and just across from both the old Highmark Stadium and the new one under construction, Radwin was a welcome sign.
More than 1,500 workers return to the $2.2 billion new home of the Buffalo Bills.
Radwin, who works for Quackenbush Co., was one of a cadre of construction workers who returned Friday to new Highmark Stadium after a four-day pause -- all connected to the latest round of graffiti and vandalism inside the new home of the Buffalo Bills.
"You just can't vandalize things," Radwin said.
The pause was put into place by the Gilbane/Turner lead construction team in order to investigate the vandalism that included pornographic graffiti spray painted inside four luxury suites. The investigation by the Erie County Sheriff's Department remains underway.
It is estimated that the pause resulted in workers losing more than $1 million in combined wages.
"It absolutely hurts," said Chris, an employee of Weydman Electric.
Gilbane/Turner has offered a $100,000 reward for any information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the alleged vandals. As of late Friday morning, no arrests have been made.
Before work resumed Friday morning, Gilbane/Turner had a meeting with the on-site construction workers update on the investigation but also to reiterate that any form of vandalism will not be tolerated and offenders will be punished.
"Gilbane/Turner maintains zero tolerance for graffiti, vandalism, or any behavior that undermines the respectful and supportive environment we expect on our projects," the company said in a prepared statement to WBEN.
Workers interviewed by WBEN said they are upset and frustrated with the wave of vandalism that has plagued the stadium project in recent weeks, culminating with last weekend's damage.
"Personally, I think it is just ignorant," said Weydman's Chris.
The bulk of last weekend's damage was to the four luxury suites on the stadium's west side 200 level. Some minor damage was also reported in locker rooms and other places within the stadium's interior.
The investigation is focusing on approximately 300 people who worked the Feb. 15 second shift, said Bill Geary, Erie County Public Works Commissioner.
Denise Abbott, Western New York Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO president, called the vandalism "disheartening."
"I am disappointed that this big, beautiful building is being vandalized," Abbott said. "Our people put a lot time and put their craft into building the stadium."