Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/AP) - Negotiations between Erie County, New York State and the Buffalo Bills regarding project documents for the new stadium set for construction in Orchard Park come 2026 are officially done.
In a joint announcement from all three negotiating parties on Tuesday, the parties have all signed the necessary documents to move forward with construction of a new state-of-the-art, football-first stadium across the street from Highmark Stadium on Abbott Road.
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"New York State, Erie County and the Buffalo Bills are pleased to formally announce that all documents and contracts for the Bills new stadium project in Orchard Park have been signed and will be submitted to the Erie County Legislature for their 30-day review," said the written statement on Tuesday. "Today marks another significant step taken as we approach a groundbreaking ceremony later this spring. We are thankful for the public/private partnerships we have shared to make this project in Western New York a reality.”
All agreement documents have been submitted to the Erie County Legislature in order for Legislators to begin their 30-day review period. Once the final documents have been approved, it will allow for major construction to begin in Orchard Park this summer.
Documents can be viewed at https://www3.erie.gov/law/buffalo-bills .
The NFL, through its G4 loan program, and the Bills agreed to commit $550 million in financing, with team owners Terry and Kim Pegula’s share coming in at $350 million, with much of that made up by the team introducing seat licenses for season ticket holders. The Bills are also responsible for covering any construction over-runs beyond $1.4 billion.
The notable details in the final agreements include a 30-year lease that features a non-relocation clause in which the Bills would have to pay back all public funding through the first 14 years of the deal. The payback amount drops over the final 16 years of the agreement.
The deal includes a community benefits agreement in which the Bills will commit $3 million annually toward social, educational purposes and the economic health of the region. The Bills also agreed to include a public transportation hub as well as sidewalks and pathways for fans and employees to access the facility.
The agreement also extends the current stadium’s lease to July 31, 2028.
The state is committing $600 million toward constructions costs as well as another $280 million to cover maintenance and operational costs over the 30-year period. The state is taking over sole control of the new stadium after previously sharing the lease with the county.
The new facility will replace the Bills current stadium, which opened in 1973 and was deemed too expensive to renovate. A state study in November 2021 pegged renovation costs at $862 million.