Fans hopeful for future development at old Highmark Stadium site

Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Demolition of the old Highmark Stadium continues along Abbott Road in Orchard Park, and has become a spectacle for Buffalo Bills fans to check out over the last several weeks.

Demolition of the stadium started back on May 1, and will continue in stages over the next several months. Completion of demolition for the site is expected in early 2027.

For some Bills fans, demolition of the old Highmark Stadium is bittersweet.

"It's insane to see the old stadium gone," said Ashley, visiting her family from Denver, Colo. "I mean, I love the new one, it's beautiful. I just hope that they make this area proper, and still make it feel like it's part of 'Bills Mafia.' Even though the new stadium's across the street, this was the original location, and it always will be."

"Part of me is a little bit heartbroken to see it this way," added Greg from Williamsville. "I know I see a lot of people have taken their seats home with them, which is great. I hope there's a way to remember the place that it was. I know my wife here was talking about having some sort of like a Hall of Fame where fans can go and, at least, feel like they're a part of that old Bills era. I know it has to go, it's sad to see it go. But here on the other side of the street I saw this for the first time and it's breathtaking. So it's both good and bad, but I'm excited for the future."

The demolition of the stadium site allows an opportunity for some Bills fans to allow the memories to flood back in of the good times at that facility.

"I remember a few of my first games. I remember as a kid, my brother left the tickets in my dad's car and we were running down Abbott at full speed, trying to catch him as he dropped us off. The 'Snow Game', I was here for that, so there's some good memories there," said Chris from Angola.

"I was a Season Ticket holder for about 10 years, up in 333 for most of it. Since the early '90s, they didn't win much, but it was still a great time," said Steve from Fairport. "I was here for the Sam Adams rumbling touchdown, so a lot of good times. It was fun."

While the completion of demolition is still months away in Orchard Park, there has already been much debate over what the old stadium site should transition into when the dirt is filled in and the ground is leveled off.

According to a recent report from The Buffalo News, the Bills are entertaining the premise of further developing the site and turning it into something meaningful and significant to the region. While the Bills Store, the Kaleida Health Performance Center and team administrative building will remain across the street from the new Highmark Stadium, now the team will reportedly explore a possible mixed-use development in partnership with a local developer.

What is it that Bills fans may want to see on the grounds of the old stadium?

"Obviously they need some parking, but I would love to see something on that site that is something for the fans to do, whether it's restaurants, bars or someplace to go to, but we'll see," said Shawn from Orchard Park. "Obviously they've got some property on the other side where ECC South is, so I would personally love to see something to do rather than parking, but I know they're going to need the parking. So we'll see what happens."

Some Bills fans are hopeful that the team takes a page from the playbook of other NFL markets to make the area in-and-around the new Highmark Stadium a year-round destination.

"I think there's a lot they could do, Green Bay has obviously done a lot, other places have done a lot to do more for the fan experience," Steve said with WBEN. "Maybe a hotel this really close to the stadium for people that are a little further away. I would definitely like to see something to kind of enhance the experience over here."

"I've been to a few other stadiums around the league, like in [Indianapolis] and Pittsburgh, and they have a lot of stuff going on across the street from the stadium. So restaurants or other game day activities that people can do before and after the game, that would be pretty cool," added Justin from Canada.

"Just continue to grow it, because for the longest time, this has always felt like a rural community and not a whole lot going on. So if we can expand on it a little bit, I think that'd be really cool."

Meanwhile, other fans like Sabrina from Williamsville would like the idea of the old stadium site becoming an ultimate hub for "Bills Mafia" members that couldn't get a ticket to the game at the new stadium across the street.

"I know the fans are really high with tailgating, so maybe making it some sort of tailgate party central, maybe putting seats back in there and maybe putting some sort of drive-in screen, so you can watch the game like on a projector, like a drive-in. That'd be kind of cool," said Sabrina with WBEN.