(WIVB) – The Buffalo Bills stadium study is complete, Empire State Development announced Tuesday.
Consultants with AECOM, the engineering firm that conducted the analysis, didn’t recommend either Orchard Park or downtown Buffalo location for a new stadium.
The study does recommend building a brand new stadium, rather than renovating Highmark Stadium.
According to the study, the cost to renovate the existing stadium in Orchard Park is about $862 million, compared to $1.354 billion for a new stadium at Orchard Park – a difference of about $492 million.
The cost to build the same stadium downtown would be estimated to add an extra $350 million to the project cost, not including the potential cost of relocating residents and businesses, adding a roof to the stadium, or going through the SEQRA process.
“AECOM’s report does provide a solid baseline of facts to better inform New York State’s negotiations with the Bills, as well as a public discussion of the best course of action,” a press release from Empire State Development said Tuesday. “The Erie County Legislature is scheduling a series of public meetings to receive comments on a potential stadium project – which will be considered as the state moves forward to shaping a deal with the Bills.”
Read the entire study here:
Kaley Lynch is a digital reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2017. See more of her work here.