New Stadium or Retrofitting the Ralph?

[PromoTheRobot]

Yeah the border thing is a complication but the Canadian side of the Falls would definitely be able to host a SB. Plenty of hotels and attractions.

[A Dog Named Kelso]

So from all the stuff I have read and heard there are a few things that tend to stand out. While I do not care if it is a renovation or new build I doubt anything will be done outside of Erie County. My thought is with the "Advisory Committee" 1/3 is representation for Erie County. Obliviously; if it is a fear of the Bills leaving altogether then sure, but that is really not a reality as there are plenty of places within Erie Count to house the stadium.

 

I hear a lot about the site lines for the current "bowl" of RWS, it seems to me that there are blueprints that would allow this to be recreated in a new build, correct?

 

Of course there is cost, but it seems as though the state, county and the Bills, have committed to funds to a project so we should assume a new stadium is an option, how extravagant is another question.

 

And lastly I think the public works of any project are not really looked at when fan talk about new builds. The water front(while I think would be awesome) I am not sure has anything adequate at the moment does it? The ability to get thousands people in and out, water, sewer and electrical capacity for such an endeavor. Surely, it can all be added, but if cost is an issue would it not make sense to start with a locale that has that or at least much of that infrastructure already in place?

 

I do like the ideas of the tie in with the Bulls I think that is a really good idea to explore.

[shane nelson]

NF, could not handle the traffic on either side of the boarder. It would only work with major investments to the bridges and highways which is not cost effective. In addition i don't it would be ideal to the majority of current season ticket holders from Buffalo , Rochester or Eastern PA. The lower bowl of the Ralph is as good as it gets, but major work needs to be done on the upper deck. A new downtown stadium would be ideal if renovation to The Ralph is to expensive.

[plenzmd1]

Stadiums don't revitalize urban blight. The literature is fairly clear on this. In fact, significant economic impact from a new stadium rarely materializes--at least nowhere near to the scale promised by developers/teams/politicians.

 

 

 

 

 

i am not so sure I agreewith this. Most of the places where i have been where new stadiums have been built in the city i think have had big impacts. Again, just a sense i have , no basis in fact.

 

To qualify, i am prolly thinking more of baseball, hockey/basketball than football.

 

 

 

I hear a lot about the site lines for the current "bowl" of RWS, it seems to me that there are blueprints that would allow this to be recreated in a new build, correct?

 

 

 

 

 

the only problem i see with that is all the new stadiums are really built around the suites, all situated around mid level of the stadiums. I kid you not, i am pretty sure the 5th row of the upper deck at Gilette, Fedex, Heinz, etc are all as high or higher than the top row at the Ralph.and to me, no new stadium without those suites built in.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

 

 

Not necessarliy near UB, but I agree with the needing to build a "hypothetical new Ralph" near major route arteries. If downtown would be considered, you have to think that more entry / exit routes would have to be built. Here in Philly, the City and The Eagles have a very sweet set up in the old shipyard district. One of the things thats most attractive to me is getting in / out of the Sports Zone where the Eagles / Flyers / Phillies all play. Easy access to all main roads in and out.

 

That's nuts. Anyone who's ever driven there will tell you traffic is a nightmare.

[BillsFan-4-Ever]

no way the Buffalo are gets a SB. At least not w/o a domed stadium. (and or built next to an airport if it can remain open in a blizard)

[May Day 10]

That's nuts. Anyone who's ever driven there will tell you traffic is a nightmare.

 

Philly? I lived there and it was fine. Especially the way the Arenas/stadiums are set up. Was so easy getting out.

[JM57]

 

 

 

The Canadian side of the Falls might be able to handle a Super Bowl in the not too distant future...but the American side, I don't know. Of course, at this point, the Super Bowl is more of a corporate thing, but the whole passport issue might be a consideration.

The passport issue didn't stop the NFL from factoring Windsor's amenities into the equation of a Detroit Super Bowl.

[machine gun kelly]

I seriously doubt with a domed stadium at Niagara Falls that is beautiful and all the hotels etc in Niagara Falls we still will never get a SB.

[Mike in Horseheads]

Super Bowl is never coming to WNY even with a 2 zillion dollar stadium at the brink of the falls. Anybody believing that has been smoking bowls!

[SRQ_BillsFan]

 

The passport issue didn't stop the NFL from factoring Windsor's amenities into the equation of a Detroit Super Bowl.

 

There was no passport issue back when Detroit had a Super Bowl. That was way before 9/11. Didn't need one to cross the US/Canadian boarder.

[ExiledInIllinois]

They can play in Syracuse while The Ralph is renovated. Bears played in Champaign when Soldier Field was being renovated.

Edited April 7, 2014 by ExiledInIllinois

[buffalobillsfootball]

There was no passport issue back when Detroit had a Super Bowl. That was way before 9/11. Didn't need one to cross the US/Canadian boarder.

 

How is this even an issue? People who can afford to attend a Super Bowl or even an NFL game likely have a passport.

[T master]

From what Russ Brandon stated, it could take up to two years just to even come up with a decision on a new stadium or retrofitting "The Ralph." If retrofitting is the answer, then how much more retrofitting will need to be done considering "The Ralph" is presently being renovated?

 

Also, is there any way possible for a new, long term lease to be completed, whether it’s for a new stadium or “The Ralph” before the team is sold?

 

Go to Wikipedia & look up what renovations were done to Soldier field, Lambeau , & Arrow head & you can see just how much more will have to be done to bring the Ralph up to par with the better stadiums in the league .

 

I just did a post not to long ago on this that got little or no attention paid to it but it explained how a lot of info on each stadium & there renovations which would be the cheaper way to go i would be less than half what a new stadium would cost if the state couldn't swing it .

 

The thing that really sucks is if the state wouldn't have put the money behind building 2 baseball stadiums & a basketball arena in NYC there would have been funding for a new home for the Bills in western NY but 90% of all the dang taxes go to keep the city a float & it's still a hole …..

 

I seriously doubt with a domed stadium at Niagara Falls that is beautiful and all the hotels etc in Niagara Falls we still will never get a SB.

 

That maybe true but if the city has the infrastructure as far as hotels, restaurants, to support a SB every NFL city should be in the running if the stadium isn't a open air stadium just for the simple fact the amount of revenue they could lose due to inclement weather ..

[major]

I just hope our new stadium isn't like Jerry world in Arlington tx. That place is dead and you are far removed from the action. People only come to watch the huge screen. The acoustics are horrible and you feel like you are 10 miles away from the field at every level. If we build a new stadium it needs to be done well. I think it will be at niagara falls

[SRQ_BillsFan]

 

How is this even an issue? People who can afford to attend a Super Bowl or even an NFL game likely have a passport.

 

I was simply responding to a statement that said passports were not an issue when the Super Bowl was in Detroit.

 

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[Mr. WEO]

Go to Wikipedia & look up what renovations were done to Soldier field, Lambeau , & Arrow head & you can see just how much more will have to be done to bring the Ralph up to par with the better stadiums in the league .

 

I just did a post not to long ago on this that got little or no attention paid to it but it explained how a lot of info on each stadium & there renovations which would be the cheaper way to go i would be less than half what a new stadium would cost if the state couldn't swing it .

 

The thing that really sucks is if the state wouldn't have put the money behind building 2 baseball stadiums & a basketball arena in NYC there would have been funding for a new home for the Bills in western NY but 90% of all the dang taxes go to keep the city a float & it's still a hole …..

 

 

 

That maybe true but if the city has the infrastructure as far as hotels, restaurants, to support a SB every NFL city should be in the running if the stadium isn't a open air stadium just for the simple fact the amount of revenue they could lose due to inclement weather ..

 

Say what??

 

Anyway, the public financing (mostly by the CIty, not the state) was not from increased taxes or direct money given for the stadiums, but was in tax-exempt financing in the form of bonds. I'm sure if the Bills offered to build a new stadium, they could get the same or similar tax free financing. But, until recently, the Bills have never offered to contribute significantly to renovations, let alone build a new stadium.