Bills now exploring development options around old Highmark Stadium
· Yahoo Sports
When news of the Buffalo Bills’ plans to build a new stadium first gained real legs, there were questions about what would happen to the grounds where the current stadium sits. With construction on the new Highmark Stadium now complete and the demolition of the former Highmark Stadium well underway, what may become of the old stadium’s grounds remains largely up in the air.
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There was discussion that the old stadium would be turned into overflow parking, which is exactly what the new stadium’s grounds were before construction. It’s notably where fans were able to park RVs. With the limited parking at the new stadium, using the old site makes plenty of sense on the surface.
However, it doesn’t appear that a parking lot is set in stone for the old stadium’s new lease on life. A recent report by Michael Petro with The Buffalo News states that key Bills decisions makers are “coming around to the idea of putting something more significant” over top of the razed stadium, which could include the “possibility of mixed-use development.”
The area in consideration is on the east side of Abbott Road, a space that Petro’s report reveals the current field house, administrative building, and the Bills Store will remain standing where they currently reside. Despite those facilities, a massive open space remains largely unplanned as of publishing.
So what might One Bills Drive be planning for the surrounding area? Per Petro, the organization is considering “stores and dining, open space for events, and maybe even an entertainment-focused venue.” Petro also reveals that the grounds could “open the door to the Bills bringing an attraction, on a smaller scale, like Titletown in Green Bay.”
Among main considerations for One Bills Drive could be the feasibility of hosting an NFL Draft in the future. Currently, there’s a lack of key infrastructure to meaningfully handle draft-day crowds, whether that comes from local/regional residents, or those traveling greater distances. The immediate area needs more hotel options and retail/dining attractions to properly sway NFL executives.
The Bills may also further consider prior discussions around “creating a Bills village or another type of destination — and possibly a pedestrian bridge for fans to use to cross to the new stadium.” The latter of those two would be a welcome addition given the heavy game-day traffic on Abbott Road.