BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)-- The Town of Orchard Park is gearing up for major building and one of the biggest development tasks in Western
New York's history.
The price on the new Bills Stadium is approximated at more than $1.5 billion dollars. Homeowners are already seeing heavy equipment move into the area, particularly on the Erie Community College school, where the previous running track and field has been destroyed. There's likewise additional fencing along Abbott Road. Construction will bring some interruptions to area citizens, according to Town Supervisor Gene Majchrak.
" We simply have to be patient and before we understand it, it will be 2026, and Josh and the group will be playing in the new stadium and we will forget all the inconvenience," Majchrak stated.
Residents say they are utilized to building and construction and noise. The present stadium has been refurbished prior to and the ADPRO Sports Training House was redone in addition to new practice fields.
" But this isn't anything we have not seen prior to. Throughout the street at Drive 1, they were constructing practice fields not that long ago. I got to hear and experience all of the noise, so I have a little idea of what's going to occur out here," Mark Lester, a nearby resident, said.
The deal is signed, sealed and delivered, so what follows for the town? Manager Majchrzak states he wants the area around the stadium rezoned to construct hotels, restaurants and more to make Orchard Park a destination.
" We'll zone it appropriately so that it will be designer friendly," Majchrzak stated. "Make this in addition to the Bills plans, make this a good location place."
Lester survives on Route 20A. He says he owns 600 acres of land along the hectic road, some of which he uses for parking and other areas that remain undeveloped. He owns Yellow Brick Parking, which brings in fans from near and far to park on his home.
Attorneys General in New York, California reveal joint investigation into the NFL
"If they are trying to find that type of advancement, they should truly look within the town and speak to individuals that are here who may be prepared and able to provide those things," Lester says.
Regional companies in the area say they are grateful the team is remaining in the Southtowns. Wings Flights of Hope Event Center on California Road uses its massive parking area to host fans and tailgates on video game days.
"For us, we're thrilled it is going to stay here and I think with all of the building going on, we have lots of space for parking, so who knows, maybe we will lack parking areas," Joe DeMarco, owner of Wings Flights of Hope, said.
For many fans and area citizens, their sights are set on tickets for the stadium, particularly the individual seat licenses, which might be too pricey for very long time ticket holders.
"Our household's had tickets considering that 1960, because the first day, and I do not understand if we will be able to keep them and that's a little frightening thing happening with this licensing cost too," DeMarco included.
The Bills state construction will start immediately and excavation is set to start in June.
Tara Lynch is a
Buffalo local who signed up with the News 4 group as a reporter in 2022. She formerly worked at WETM in Elmira, N.Y., a sister station of News 4. You can follow Tara on Facebook and Twitter and find more of her work here.
Comments
Leave a Reply