mrags Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Ok, months have went bye after confirmation that The Ralph will undergo some serious renovations. Don't remember exactly what the renovations were but I remember an awning type of walkway for the main entrance, bathroom upgrades, Etc... Has there been any word on this at all? Are they working? Is it on hold? Not even sure what the time frame on everything was but It did all get approved for close to $200m didn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OvrOfficiousJerk Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) I was there about a month ago for the fifty yard dash, and there was definitely some construction going on, especially at the entrances to the seating area. Other than that (eg, bathrooms, grand entrance), not sure Edited July 29, 2013 by OvrOfficiousJerk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Had to find the original thread, looks like this year is minor fixes and improvements, with the bulk of the work being done next year... http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/155063-stadium-renovation-renderings/#entry2706601 http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Populous-Selected-for-Renovations-to-Ralph-Wilson-Stadium/a90c0e16-3bb5-4c88-a489-6f6314b1dd85 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle flap Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 4 – Chris: Long-time reader, first-time writer. Congrats again on the Manuel call. I heard the idea from you first, so credit where credit’s due! Quick question about the Ralph renovations. What’s the timetable? Has any work started? As a season-ticket holder, I’m excited about the planned changes, and I wanted to know if anything will be different come the home opener. Thanks, and keep up the great work. Will in Philadelphia CB: Thanks for the kind words. With respect to renovations there will be some work done this year, but it won’t be all that noticeable to the fans attending the stadium. That’s because it’s a lot of the guts of the stadium that will be upgraded. The more cosmetic projects like the east end scoreboard additions and big west end pavilion project will not get going until 2014. http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2013/06/07/fan-friday-6-7/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 Thanks everyone. Was definitely thinking about this and hasn't heard anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kellyto83TD Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Great find Uncle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Ok, months have went bye after confirmation that The Ralph will undergo some serious renovations. Don't remember exactly what the renovations were but I remember an awning type of walkway for the main entrance, bathroom upgrades, Etc... Has there been any word on this at all? Are they working? Is it on hold? Not even sure what the time frame on everything was but It did all get approved for close to $200m didn't it? I saw them putting down lines in the parking lots. Lot 5 is all black top now. Weight room expansion work going on. LOUD speakers on all 4 towers now. Sealing of upper deck going on now. New metal skin on maintenance building done. New goal posts installed on practice field. I have a 99.44% feeling that Abbott Road will NOT be blockaded this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 Whatever makes it in and out of your lot easier. I'm all for it Hammer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I have a 99.44% feeling that Abbott Road will NOT be blockaded this year. Funny you should mention that. I was looking at the suggested routes map last night and noticed it looked like you would be able to drive south on Abbott into Drive 1.... http://prod.static.bills.clubs.nfl.com/assets/pdf/suggested-routes.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 (edited) Funny you should mention that. I was looking at the suggested routes map last night and noticed it looked like you would be able to drive south on Abbott into Drive 1.... http://prod.static.b...sted-routes.pdf http://www.buffalobi...directions.html Top of the page sez Abbott Road still block in front of the Ralph Edited July 30, 2013 by Hammered a Lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 http://www.buffalobi...directions.html Top of the page sez Abbott Road still block in front of the Ralph Guess you'll see in a few weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I saw them putting down lines in the parking lots. Lot 5 is all black top now. Weight room expansion work going on. LOUD speakers on all 4 towers now. Sealing of upper deck going on now. New metal skin on maintenance building done. New goal posts installed on practice field. I have a 99.44% feeling that Abbott Road will NOT be blockaded this year. Let me guess, you use Ivory Soap? 99.44% pure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 (edited) Let me guess, you use Ivory Soap? 99.44% pure. Nope. I use Lava soap for 100% pure clean. Edited July 31, 2013 by Hammered a Lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I saw what I thought was this soap commercial. Then it turned out to be a really weird commercial for fruit. Then in a move no one saw coming, they duped me and pulled some soap out of the fruit. Damn, I was 99.44% sure it was a weird fruit commercial. They duped me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 More cops no beer soon it will be. Flag football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wing Man Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Can I state for the record that these are the all-time dumbest upgrades in the history of stadium upgrades. Not one substantially improves the fan experience. Are you telling me that an awning and new toilets for x million dollars is going to substantially improve the fan experience? They'd have been better off putting restaurants into the stadium and expanded concessions. Lambeau Field's amenities would have been a quality template to work from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Can I state for the record that these are the all-time dumbest upgrades in the history of stadium upgrades. Not one substantially improves the fan experience. Are you telling me that an awning and new toilets for x million dollars is going to substantially improve the fan experience? They'd have been better off putting restaurants into the stadium and expanded concessions. Lambeau Field's amenities would have been a quality template to work from. Better bathrooms certainly would enhance my experience more than a restaurant in the stadium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills fan since 87 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I look forward to the added loud speakers up top. Sometimes the stadium pa can sound muffled up there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finhater Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 (edited) More bathrooms to cut down on the lines I feel would be a big improvement . less pissing in the sinks hopefully Edited July 31, 2013 by finhater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 New article, but not any really new information.... http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/the-130-million-renovation-project-at-ralph-wilson-stadium-will-make-the-facility-more-fan-friendly-20131006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superb Owl Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Sinks are being removed and thrown at Josh Freeman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe W Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 The only tangible thing that comes from the article is that Branden is a tool Why they're spending 135 mill on an already obsolete stadium is laughable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe W Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 That new team store is such an important part of the fan experience The guy is such an amazing incompetent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) That new team store is such an important part of the fan experience The guy is such an amazing incompetent Where is the Bills Hall of Fame?????? Edited October 12, 2013 by Hammered a Lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Can I state for the record that these are the all-time dumbest upgrades in the history of stadium upgrades. Not one substantially improves the fan experience. Are you telling me that an awning and new toilets for x million dollars is going to substantially improve the fan experience? They'd have been better off putting restaurants into the stadium and expanded concessions. Lambeau Field's amenities would have been a quality template to work from. The only tangible thing that comes from the article is that Branden is a tool Why they're spending 135 mill on an already obsolete stadium is laughable Ok. So making access to the stadium quicker is a fan benefit. Fixing and adding bathrooms is a fan benefit. Building a new concession building in order to provide better food is a fan benefit. Seat time should be the most important thing to a fan. Getting to see the game that they are paying to see, Not standing in excessive beer, food and piss lines all while missing the game! Speed everything up. So to counterpoint, I do not think this is the dumbest upgrade of a stadium of all time. Outside of agreeing with you that this money would be far better served going to a new stadium. With the ownership situation as it is, a new stadium? Not happening. So actually I could argue that spending 135 million on an obsolete stadium that extends it's life by at least ten years is in todays world a pretty fair deal. Cheapest ten years for a stadium in the country I bet! We have to play in this league. Much like owning A McDonalds franchise you have to do upgrades that you may not like but it is part of playing in that league. This is smart in that it also allows the proper process to occur should there be a new stadium eventually. It will be designed and planned out properly at a sustainable cost. In my grand scheme it will cost some serious money, and time to demolish all the Perry street projects and build the infrastructure for the new stadium there. :-) My shortcut is building it across Abbott Rd and then tearing down the Ralph. Where is the Bills Hall of Fame?????? In the new stadium :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefenseWinzChampionshipz Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I've been to Met Life stadium and also Citifield (Mets' stadium) and honestly, the new stadiums look great and all, but they feel more like a mall than they do a football stadium. As old as our stadium is, it has more of a "football" feel to it. As long as the stadium doesn't collapse, I'm fine with our stadium. They DO need to add more TV screens though (which I believe they are) and the sound system definitely needs an upgrade. Maybe a BOOM BOOM BOOM noise on 3rd down defense and have it speed up so people could start smacking their seats to start a Bills Stampede would be nice too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr1 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I wonder what Chef Robert Irvine from Restaurant Impossible could do to the Ralph with 2 days and $10,000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 Ok. So making access to the stadium quicker is a fan benefit. Fixing and adding bathrooms is a fan benefit. Building a new concession building in order to provide better food is a fan benefit. Seat time should be the most important thing to a fan. Getting to see the game that they are paying to see, Not standing in excessive beer, food and piss lines all while missing the game! Speed everything up. So to counterpoint, I do not think this is the dumbest upgrade of a stadium of all time. Outside of agreeing with you that this money would be far better served going to a new stadium. With the ownership situation as it is, a new stadium? Not happening. So actually I could argue that spending 135 million on an obsolete stadium that extends it's life by at least ten years is in todays world a pretty fair deal. Cheapest ten years for a stadium in the country I bet! We have to play in this league. Much like owning A McDonalds franchise you have to do upgrades that you may not like but it is part of playing in that league. This is smart in that it also allows the proper process to occur should there be a new stadium eventually. It will be designed and planned out properly at a sustainable cost. In my grand scheme it will cost some serious money, and time to demolish all the Perry street projects and build the infrastructure for the new stadium there. :-) My shortcut is building it across Abbott Rd and then tearing down the Ralph. In the new stadium :-) stop making sense here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I wonder what Chef Robert Irvine from Restaurant Impossible could do to the Ralph with 2 days and $10,000 I know what he would do first: Beer only lines at the concession stands, and more taps at each stand to keep up with the demand. as Beerme1 so adroitly mentioned, biggest key is giving people more seat time. BTW, i think these improvements sound awesome...and I love the Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Here's what the Washington Peanuts are doing to their stadium, FedEx Field: A person familiar with the situation had said Monday that the FedEx Field renovation includes Wi-Fi, seating modifications, ribbon boards (a form of stadium signage) and a Hall of Fame expansion. $27million in renovations and some of it is League money. Anybody know if we got League money for the parking lot lines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-8 Forever? Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Here's what the Washington Peanuts are doing to their stadium, FedEx Field: A person familiar with the situation had said Monday that the FedEx Field renovation includes Wi-Fi, seating modifications, ribbon boards (a form of stadium signage) and a Hall of Fame expansion. $27million in renovations and some of it is League money. Anybody know if we got League money for the parking lot lines? Been in both and the Ralph is better than Fedex. Fedex is like going to the mall. The Ralph is a basic football palace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Lol, yeah some of the renovations led to the sewage issues last game...from what I heard this year's upgrades are going to mostly be internal infrastructure and not be seeable, its next year's upgrades that will be visible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offside Number 76 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) Ok. So making access to the stadium quicker is a fan benefit. Fixing and adding bathrooms is a fan benefit. Building a new concession building in order to provide better food is a fan benefit. Seat time should be the most important thing to a fan. Getting to see the game that they are paying to see, Not standing in excessive beer, food and piss lines all while missing the game! Speed everything up. So to counterpoint, I do not think this is the dumbest upgrade of a stadium of all time. Outside of agreeing with you that this money would be far better served going to a new stadium. With the ownership situation as it is, a new stadium? Not happening. So actually I could argue that spending 135 million on an obsolete stadium that extends it's life by at least ten years is in todays world a pretty fair deal. Cheapest ten years for a stadium in the country I bet! We have to play in this league. Much like owning A McDonalds franchise you have to do upgrades that you may not like but it is part of playing in that league. This is smart in that it also allows the proper process to occur should there be a new stadium eventually. It will be designed and planned out properly at a sustainable cost. In my grand scheme it will cost some serious money, and time to demolish all the Perry street projects and build the infrastructure for the new stadium there. :-) My shortcut is building it across Abbott Rd and then tearing down the Ralph. Thank you for shutting down the naysayers. Always so many naysayers in Buffalo. Been in both and the Ralph is better than Fedex. Fedex is like going to the mall. The Ralph is a basic football palace. Agreed, except for the restrooms and food/drink. But that will be fixed. Edited October 12, 2013 by Offsides Number 76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBrad Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 My biggest gripe with the newer stadiums is that the addition of suites and large club areas tends to push the majority of seating farther away from the field. I've sat in the upper deck at Met Life and I would take the Ralph over it any day. I don't understand what people are looking for when they say they want a new stadium. I get that some people want a dome or a different location, but most of the stadiums current deficiencies could be addressed by renovations: narrow concourses, poor concessions, third world quality bathrooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share Posted October 12, 2013 My biggest gripe with the newer stadiums is that the addition of suites and large club areas tends to push the majority of seating farther away from the field. I've sat in the upper deck at Met Life and I would take the Ralph over it any day. I don't understand what people are looking for when they say they want a new stadium. I get that some people want a dome or a different location, but most of the stadiums current deficiencies could be addressed by renovations: narrow concourses, poor concessions, third world quality bathrooms. this. Great post. I'd love a stadium downtown. Don't get me wrong. But I'd much rather stay at the Ralph as long as the thing isn't falling down. The upgrades, both structurally and cosmetically should help on all fronts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGUNBILLS Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I was watching college football today, (I rarely have time for it) anyways, I could not believe some of these stadiums the colleges have. The Ralph really needs some work. Borderline shameful. Wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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