Erie County Legislature Hears Directly from Bills, Poloncarz on Bills Stadium Deal

Erie County lawmakers on Thursday heard directly from the county executive and a representative of the Buffalo Bills about the Memorandum of Understanding for the deal to build a new stadium for the pro football franchise. 

Legislators are being asked to approve the MOU, so that final negotiations may be completed to move the project forward.

The county, state and Bills’ owners have reached an agreement to construct a new stadium in Orchard Park on a plot of land next to the Bills’ current home venue, Highmark Stadium. 

The overall cost of the new stadium is estimated at $1.4 billion. Erie County is committing $250 million to the project. New York State, through its Erie County Stadium Corporation, will contribute $600 million, while Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the Bills’ parent company, will invest the remainder, including any unforeseen construction cost overruns. 

The Bills will also pay for demolition of Highmark Stadium when the new facility is opened.