It's unfortunate that when it came time to build The Ralph that they settled on Orchard Park for it's home. It's in the heart of the snow belt and not the easiest place to get to for the current fan base. The Bills are more of a Regional team and it would have made more sense to build it in the Lancaster, Pembroke or even Batavia area so it would have been easier to get to for Canadians, Rochesterians and even Syracuse residents.
That being said I would love to see a downtown stadium. One problem though - what would they do with facilities in Orchard Park????????? The local HS and Pop Warner teams from that area would have a pretty impressive home field.....
From what I've seen so far, it will be a private company that will own the complex. If that changes then my vote changes. For now though it's an very big yes!
We have undereducated children, starving homeless, a failing infrastructure, an energy crisis, and gas is above 4 dollars a gallon. Im sure that just what we need is a multi-milllion dollar stadium . NO, and NO.
Its going to be funded by a mixed bag, a large portion of which will obviously be the private sector. That being said, any time a change of infrastructure occurs local, state and the federal government of course is going to be a part of the funding formula. This is a very exciting project, not just for the stadium, but also for its mixed use capabilities including a new convention center (badly needed), entertainment venues, commercial use and enough parking for a small army
if this stadium is truely a multi-use complex, i lean in favor. I like the location, if it brings people and events to Buffalo. I fish in the outer harbour, and it is a beautiful,and under used area. Build it and they will come, but we need to use our heads and not limit this to a football stadium, which could be empty if the bills move. Of course who finances this project means alot, i think private ownership would be the smartest. A corporation would maximize the usage and be better for the area.
Does Genesee County have $400 million to spare cuz thats what the county would have to contribute
And the $$ can't be generated by hotel/motel or rental car taxes because there isn't enough tourism or business spending to generate that kind of revenue in the county.
It looks like the Bills don't want to contribute a dime.
Start saving your money.. It will take 6-8 years to build it.
A new stadium means inflated ticket prices, which even having a winning team wouldn't keep it filled. The next owner would have to pay down the debt on a new stadium. A stadium on the harbor would have traffic issues, coming and going.
Best best is to refurbish the Ralph, which is what they've done in Green Bay, Chicago & KC. Much less expensive.
The Ralph doesn't have to be what Dallas' stadium is--just widen the concourses, add wi-fi, party decks on either side of the scoreboard, add a 2nd board at the other end of the stadium, more bathrooms and it's good to go. RWS has THE BEST sight lines in the NFL, bar none. There's not a bad seat in that place.
I would be in favor-only if Bills are committed to WNY. They are building a stadium in Los Angeles right now-my money is that's where Bills will be headed in a few years-still no progress in the lease talks-Ralph is dragging his feet-wait until he dies,see what happens to team. The multi-use facility would be nice-Strong Museum of Play has expressed interest in setting up a site there. We possibly could host a Super Bowl in future years if it has a retractable roof. Will we still be on the hook for $200 million "upgrades" to the current stadium? Why dump money in that if one can be built? I don't like location of proposed stadium for the reason of PARKING....only 5,000 spaces for a 72,000 seat facility? Who wants to park and ride from the ghetto?(Which isn't that far from the proposed site)-Will this facility take concerts away from Darien Lake,which will hurt Genesee County.
I love my sports, and I follow the Bills, (disappointing as it might be lately) but as has been alluded to, if its only taxpayer money, (or a large part is taypayer monies) I can't support it. 1.4 billion? we are already taxed to unbelievable extremes, and I just believe not enough percentage of upstate/canadian people will/would utilize it. If a private individual(s) would like to build it, then yes. it seems that private businessmen do a much better job of promoting and managing their enterprises.
Why drop $200 million of Erie County money to fix that concrete bunker when $200 million of Erie County funds can be used towards a new stadium _complex_ to anchor the waterfront? The private investments, state and federal component and private investment in a very flexible set of facilities should cover the costs. I do not understand the attachment to a dying facility in Orchard Park.
That "concrete bunker" is the best viewing experience in the league. No other stadium has its sight lines. It just needs a few adjustments to get it up to league specs. With your logic, there's no need to for the Sox to stay in Fenway.
200 mill is cheaper then spending 600 mill or more on a waterfront stadium that will have horrid egress issues because there's less ways to leave. A new build will also make ticket prices spike; the market can't and won't pay for PSL's to secure their seats.
Plus, the Ralph is part of this teams history--that goes without saying. War Memorial Stadium was built in a different time so it went away because it had to. The foundation of that place will last.
Blah, Blah, Blah and Blah; a new Bills Stadium, a Bass Pro at the Waterfront or a new bridge; nothing more than tired ideas by the same old do nothing politicians and especially at election time to distract us from their lack of accomplishments.
What we really need is to appoint a committee paid by taxpayers to appoint a sub-committee who will sub-contract a study to confirm a recommendation of creating a task force to look into the feasibility in appropriating funds to create a Stadium Czar to oversee a new Authority to develop a strategy........
It's not the same tired old idea. This is an entire complex which will include the stadium. Along with a sports museum. If the waterfront area is going to succeed there has to be a draw. This would help and would encourage other private investments. What Buffalo needs to forget is that stupid casino on Michigan Ave.
It's unfortunate that when it
It's unfortunate that when it came time to build The Ralph that they settled on Orchard Park for it's home. It's in the heart of the snow belt and not the easiest place to get to for the current fan base. The Bills are more of a Regional team and it would have made more sense to build it in the Lancaster, Pembroke or even Batavia area so it would have been easier to get to for Canadians, Rochesterians and even Syracuse residents.
That being said I would love to see a downtown stadium. One problem though - what would they do with facilities in Orchard Park????????? The local HS and Pop Warner teams from that area would have a pretty impressive home field.....
From what I've seen so far,
From what I've seen so far, it will be a private company that will own the complex. If that changes then my vote changes. For now though it's an very big yes!
We have undereducated
We have undereducated children, starving homeless, a failing infrastructure, an energy crisis, and gas is above 4 dollars a gallon. Im sure that just what we need is a multi-milllion dollar stadium . NO, and NO.
Privately funded by those who
Privately funded by those who reap the profits from it?...yes. Funded with any tax dollars, state, county, local, or otherwise?....NO!
Its going to be funded by a
Its going to be funded by a mixed bag, a large portion of which will obviously be the private sector. That being said, any time a change of infrastructure occurs local, state and the federal government of course is going to be a part of the funding formula. This is a very exciting project, not just for the stadium, but also for its mixed use capabilities including a new convention center (badly needed), entertainment venues, commercial use and enough parking for a small army
if this stadium is truely a
if this stadium is truely a multi-use complex, i lean in favor. I like the location, if it brings people and events to Buffalo. I fish in the outer harbour, and it is a beautiful,and under used area. Build it and they will come, but we need to use our heads and not limit this to a football stadium, which could be empty if the bills move. Of course who finances this project means alot, i think private ownership would be the smartest. A corporation would maximize the usage and be better for the area.
@Mr Pedro......Pembrook?
@Mr Pedro......Pembrook? Batavia?
Does Genesee County have $400 million to spare cuz thats what the county would have to contribute
And the $$ can't be generated by hotel/motel or rental car taxes because there isn't enough tourism or business spending to generate that kind of revenue in the county.
It looks like the Bills don't want to contribute a dime.
Start saving your money.. It will take 6-8 years to build it.
A new stadium means inflated
A new stadium means inflated ticket prices, which even having a winning team wouldn't keep it filled. The next owner would have to pay down the debt on a new stadium. A stadium on the harbor would have traffic issues, coming and going.
Best best is to refurbish the Ralph, which is what they've done in Green Bay, Chicago & KC. Much less expensive.
The Ralph doesn't have to be what Dallas' stadium is--just widen the concourses, add wi-fi, party decks on either side of the scoreboard, add a 2nd board at the other end of the stadium, more bathrooms and it's good to go. RWS has THE BEST sight lines in the NFL, bar none. There's not a bad seat in that place.
I would be in favor-only if
I would be in favor-only if Bills are committed to WNY. They are building a stadium in Los Angeles right now-my money is that's where Bills will be headed in a few years-still no progress in the lease talks-Ralph is dragging his feet-wait until he dies,see what happens to team. The multi-use facility would be nice-Strong Museum of Play has expressed interest in setting up a site there. We possibly could host a Super Bowl in future years if it has a retractable roof. Will we still be on the hook for $200 million "upgrades" to the current stadium? Why dump money in that if one can be built? I don't like location of proposed stadium for the reason of PARKING....only 5,000 spaces for a 72,000 seat facility? Who wants to park and ride from the ghetto?(Which isn't that far from the proposed site)-Will this facility take concerts away from Darien Lake,which will hurt Genesee County.
Mr Raines - you totally
Mr Raines - you totally missed my point, i am not suggesting they build it one of those areas.....
@ Mr Pedro..... In 1973 the
@ Mr Pedro.....
In 1973 the Canadians, the Rochesterians, and the Syracuseians didn't even know there was pro football in WNY....
The Georgia Dome is only 20 yrs old and another retractable roof stadium is being planned for downtown Atlanta.
Can't Buffalo build just one?
Tim...1973 might be a bad
Tim...1973 might be a bad example: "Who is this OJ you speak of?"
I love my sports, and I
I love my sports, and I follow the Bills, (disappointing as it might be lately) but as has been alluded to, if its only taxpayer money, (or a large part is taypayer monies) I can't support it. 1.4 billion? we are already taxed to unbelievable extremes, and I just believe not enough percentage of upstate/canadian people will/would utilize it. If a private individual(s) would like to build it, then yes. it seems that private businessmen do a much better job of promoting and managing their enterprises.
The NFL does contribute in
The NFL does contribute in the form of a loan towards the project. No need for a 1.4 billion dollar value. 225 million can get a refurb done.
Why drop $200 million of Erie
Why drop $200 million of Erie County money to fix that concrete bunker when $200 million of Erie County funds can be used towards a new stadium _complex_ to anchor the waterfront? The private investments, state and federal component and private investment in a very flexible set of facilities should cover the costs. I do not understand the attachment to a dying facility in Orchard Park.
That "concrete bunker" is the
That "concrete bunker" is the best viewing experience in the league. No other stadium has its sight lines. It just needs a few adjustments to get it up to league specs. With your logic, there's no need to for the Sox to stay in Fenway.
200 mill is cheaper then spending 600 mill or more on a waterfront stadium that will have horrid egress issues because there's less ways to leave. A new build will also make ticket prices spike; the market can't and won't pay for PSL's to secure their seats.
Plus, the Ralph is part of this teams history--that goes without saying. War Memorial Stadium was built in a different time so it went away because it had to. The foundation of that place will last.
Blah, Blah, Blah and Blah; a
Blah, Blah, Blah and Blah; a new Bills Stadium, a Bass Pro at the Waterfront or a new bridge; nothing more than tired ideas by the same old do nothing politicians and especially at election time to distract us from their lack of accomplishments.
What we really need is to appoint a committee paid by taxpayers to appoint a sub-committee who will sub-contract a study to confirm a recommendation of creating a task force to look into the feasibility in appropriating funds to create a Stadium Czar to oversee a new Authority to develop a strategy........
Actually the stadium was
Actually the stadium was proposed by the company who built the Cowboys and Colts venues.
It's not the same tired old
It's not the same tired old idea. This is an entire complex which will include the stadium. Along with a sports museum. If the waterfront area is going to succeed there has to be a draw. This would help and would encourage other private investments. What Buffalo needs to forget is that stupid casino on Michigan Ave.
RICHARD THAT IS FUNNY... SPOT
RICHARD THAT IS FUNNY... SPOT ON