(BUFFALO, N.Y. WBEN) It could be a big week in terms of finalizing a Bills stadium deal. The deal is in the hands of the Erie County Legislature and
the stage is set for lawmakers to vote on it during a special session on Thursday.
"It's been moved up," said Legislator Jeanne Vinal of (D-Amherst.) "It was moved up because construction is ready to start after state money for the project was released."
The legislature will hold two committee meetings Wednesday and Thursday, before a vote during a special session at 2pm Thursday.
"It's been a long year in the making. A lot of negotiations have been going on," said Legislator Frank Todaro (R-Lancaster.) "When it comes to dollars and cents, and keeping the Bills here in Buffalo, this is the deal that needs to happen."
Todaro added that he doesn't see anything earth shattering or concerning in the deal. "The Bills will be in Buffalo for at least 30 years. Neither Erie County nor the state will be responsible for any cost overruns. I feel really good about this." He added that he thinks the vote on Thursday will be unanimous.
There is a need for expediency, noted Vinal, since the part of the county's portion of the 1.54 billion dollar project is going to be bonded.
Erie County's commitment is 250 million dollars. 150 million is going to be bonded. Cash reserves will be used for the remaining 100-million.
Lawmakers are considering a package of amendments including a construction coordination agreement, a stadium lease, an extension of the Bills’ current lease to play at Highmark Stadium until the new stadium’s
construction is complete, and a community benefits agreement.
This comes over a year after a moratorium of understanding was approved that outlined Erie County and the state’s commitment to help pay for the new stadium, which is set to open in 2026.
Vinal said she has questions about one amendment which she said appears to decrease liquidated damages, meaning the amount the owner would have to pay back if they tried to leave.
"This is our only time to have input on this, so I think its appropriate to ask. We should have some say," said Vinal.
Construction of the new stadium is expected to start in mid to late May.