Poloncarz: Bills tell Erie County they will NOT terminate stadium lease

[ALF]

The Pegulas have already made some improvements at NEF , the training center , new turf , new  practice field . I don't think they are in any hurry to build a new stadium unless they get enough outside funding for it.  

[JoPoy88]

12 hours ago, njbuff said:

My question would be where exactly would they put a new stadium? 

Downtown? They would level the cobblestone district and adjacent areas and throw it right there on the water. That’s the most rumored option at least.

[RochesterRob]

35 minutes ago, eanyills said:

That would make a lot of sense. The City of Buffalo/BMHA have been essentially neglecting that entire site since the redevelopment plans a bunch of years back fell through. With the Old First Ward neighborhood improving and a connector to Canalside and the Outer Harbor, I can easily see the city loving a massive project to replace housing projects. The only issue is parking, it’s still part of the urban core. There cannot/should not be any new sprawling surface lots so that will be interesting.

 

If they go this route, they’re going to get a hell of a pushback from affordable housing advocates and other social justice groups, though.

  Which is why I question that they will do anything in the City of Buffalo.  Too many palms that will have to be greased to get anything going there.  Also, any roads would have to be upgraded and the utilities said to be in poor condition for a stadium.  All these things will require big bucks to address.  But if the Pegula's want to throw all that on their backs then God Bless Them.

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

If Poloncarz can take pseudo credit for something, he will go to great lengths to do so. 

[JMF2006]

17 hours ago, Tortured Soul said:

I thought Gregg Brandon was out with Russ.

 

Only for dinner to seek advice on this matter  

 

I don`t think Gregg did any groping...…...yet  

[ExiledInIllinois]

17 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

Sounds like Poloncarz just wants people to think he had something to do with the lease not being terminated early. 

Or he just wants to be upfront with the people... Put them at ease.  Pretty cynical to always think it's about somebody trying to gain attention.  I guess that's what politics brings... Cynicism...

 

Why not be upfront... They wrote the letter to him.

Edited February 1, 2020 by ExiledInIllinois

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

1 minute ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Or he just wants to be upfront with the people... Put them at ease.  Pretty cynical to always think it's about somebody trying to gain attention.  I guess that's what politics brings... Cynicism...

 

Why not be upfront... The wrote the letter to him.

Ok Mrs. Poloncarz .... ?

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 minute ago, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

Ok Mrs. Poloncarz .... ?

My wife actually went to grammar school with him... So I guess I am all idealistic... LoL...

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

Just now, ExiledInIllinois said:

My wife actually went to grammar school with him... So I guess I am all idealistic... LoL...

He’s not a bad guy, and scandal free, which is not a small thing nowadays .... but he is a shameless self promoter 

[ExiledInIllinois]

Just now, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

He’s not a bad guy, and scandal free, which is not a small thing nowadays .... but he is a shameless self promoter 

But who really isn't in 2020... It's what Social Media is.  One giant: LAMP.

[PromoTheRobot]

2 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

Downtown? They would level the cobblestone district and adjacent areas and throw it right there on the water. That’s the most rumored option at least.

 

That isn't happening. No one is levelling anything. Certainly not the Cobblestone district where PSE just renovated the John Labatt House building.

2 hours ago, ALF said:

The Pegulas have already made some improvements at NEF , the training center , new turf , new  practice field . I don't think they are in any hurry to build a new stadium unless they get enough outside funding for it.  

 

Well they have only 3 years to either extend their current lease of have something new built. If a new stadium is in the cards it will likely be announced within 9 months to allow 2 years for construction.

[Lurker]

16 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Well they have only 3 years to either extend their current lease of have something new built. 

 

I can see them signing a lease extension to buy time and stay flexible.   

 

IMO, the biggest roadblock to a new stadium is the deficit problem the state has now.   I can't see Cuomo giving them a big check, even for something years away--the optics of that are really bad.    Incremental rehab seems more politically doable...

[Da webster guy]

Downtown stadium is a lock.  Hotels, ameneties etc.  Its still not gonna have as many corporate boxes as Roger would like but it'll be sweet.  Retractable roofs are awesome now, ours will be state of the art.  3 years to build.

[WotAGuy]

9 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Or he just wants to be upfront with the people... Put them at ease.  Pretty cynical to always think it's about somebody trying to gain attention.  I guess that's what politics brings... Cynicism...

 

Why not be upfront... They wrote the letter to him.

He requested the letter be written. There was no requirement or need for it. Clearly they were not going to exercise the clause to terminate. 
 

I don’t feel I am cynical; that’s just how the whole thing came off given how Poloncarz worded his message. 

Edited February 2, 2020 by WotAGuy

[MAJBobby]

On 1/31/2020 at 3:40 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

 

A big F.U. to Goodell?   Not really. But expect a stadium announcement within 9 months. They will need two years to do whatever they are planning for 2023, when the lease expires.

Expected. 
 

Big cash payout to terminate and need time to do whatever are going to do 

[MAJBobby]

9 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Or he just wants to be upfront with the people... Put them at ease.  Pretty cynical to always think it's about somebody trying to gain attention.  I guess that's what politics brings... Cynicism...

 

Why not be upfront... They wrote the letter to him.

After he asked them too

[PromoTheRobot]

7 hours ago, Da webster guy said:

Downtown stadium is a lock.  Hotels, ameneties etc.  Its still not gonna have as many corporate boxes as Roger would like but it'll be sweet.  Retractable roofs are awesome now, ours will be state of the art.  3 years to build.

 

Fixed roof. Will save $400MM. Look for a copy of the Vikings glass roof stadium.

[Augie]

9 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Fixed roof. Will save $400MM. Look for a copy of the Vikings glass roof stadium.

 

I have not been there, but that is an AWESOME looking stadium! Atlanta looks cool, but I’m not sure how many games have been played with the roof open. I know it was broken for a while, but even after being fixed, it’s almost always closed. I’m good either way. 

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

I have not been there, but that is an AWESOME looking stadium! Atlanta looks cool, but I’m not sure how many games have been played with the roof open. I know it was broken for a while, but even after being fixed, it’s almost always closed. I’m good either way. 

 

Half the retractable roof stadiums break down or they don't even bother using it. It's an expensive option that you will rarely use. And most of the stadiums have such tiny roof openings anyway. The Vikings stadium has a glass roof and walls that open to let the outside air flow through.

[ColoradoBills]

11 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Half the retractable roof stadiums break down or they don't even bother using it. It's an expensive option that you will rarely use. And most of the stadiums have such tiny roof openings anyway. The Vikings stadium has a glass roof and walls that open to let the outside air flow through.

 

That's cool.  I didn't know that.

[BuffaloRebound]

I think Seattle’s stadium looks pretty awesome.  Doesn’t have a roof but most of the seats look covered from precipitation.  

[nkreed]

How convenient for Carl's timing here:

 

https://buffalonews.com/2020/02/02/paladino-calls-on-buffalo-housing-agency-to-demo-vacant-perry-row-houses/

[Buffalo716]

On 2/1/2020 at 2:39 PM, Da webster guy said:

Downtown stadium is a lock.  Hotels, ameneties etc.  Its still not gonna have as many corporate boxes as Roger would like but it'll be sweet.  Retractable roofs are awesome now, ours will be state of the art.  3 years to build.

I don't think it's a lock.. 

[billsfan_34]

On 1/31/2020 at 3:55 PM, LabattBlue said:

Is this a big deal?  Current lease runs until 2023?  If they are going to build a new stadium, it would not be ready before then, even if construction started by summer time this year(which won't be happening).

So- you extend the lease a year or 2 

[purple haze]

23 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Fixed roof. Will save $400MM. Look for a copy of the Vikings glass roof stadium.

No roof saves an additional $400 million. The 

[PromoTheRobot]

4 minutes ago, purple haze said:

No roof saves an additional $400 million. The 

 

Also makes building a new stadium pointless.

[purple haze]

2 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Also makes building a new stadium pointless.

Pointless for who?   Not the league.  73,000 seats at New Era.  December comes folks focus on 5-6,000 who might not show up.  Damn near 70,000 still did show up.  New stadium will probably be 65-67,000 seats and a different layout, but I wouldn't bank on a roof.

Edited February 3, 2020 by purple haze

[BigDingus]

If you look at costs of other stadiums built in the last 10-15 years, I don't see why it HAS to hit $1 billion in expenses unless it's just extremely expensive to build anything in NY.

The Cowboys' stadium cost $1.15 billion when it was built, and at the time was one of the most expensive stadiums ever constructed. Granted it's been like 10 years since then, but that thing is a MONSTER of a stadium, seating 100k people, has all the luxuries and amenities anyone could ask for and is loaded with extra attractions & state of the art facilities.

Inflation hasn't skyrocketed to some absurd amount since then, and the Bills would likely go for a more humble & reserved approach, so I'm only left with the explanation that NY is just insanely expensive?

Otherwise, we really should've built a new stadium years ago instead of kicking the can this far down the road.

 

AT&T Stadium (Cowboys) - $1.15 billion 2009 - ($1.55 billion 2019 cost)

Lucas Oil Stadium (Colts) - $720 million 2008 - ($843 million 2018 cost)

Levi Stadium (49ers) - $1.3 billion 2014 - ($1.4 billion 2019 cost)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Falcons) - $1.6 billion *projected after additional renovations* 2017 - (But with $900 million in sponsorship sales)

MetLife Stadium (Giants/Jets) - $1.6 billion 2010 - (1.88 billion in 2019 cost) but that's with/for 2 x teams contributing

State Farm Stadium (Cardinals) - $455 million 2006 - ($577 million in 2019 cost)

US Bank Stadium (Vikings) - $1 billion 2016 ($1.065 billion in 2019 cost)

 

I feel like the Bills could get away with a sub $1 billion, 60k-65k capacity stadium with a modest setup...something between Lucas Oil & US Bank Stadium. Unless it's just a given that they have to build up a bunch of shopping centers, bars, retail outlets, etc. around the stadium like the big dogs did (Cowboys/Rams), is it unreasonable to aim for $800-$900 million?

Maybe it is, and maybe NY state just makes that impossible. But seeing prices from years ago when renovation/new stadium talks began kicking around really irks me. Colts & Cardinals got away with domed stadiums for great prices, and if you go back further, teams like the Steelers were able to build new venues for what we've spent in renovations over the years.

[PromoTheRobot]

8 hours ago, purple haze said:

Pointless for who?   Not the league.  73,000 seats at New Era.  December comes folks focus on 5-6,000 who might not show up.  Damn near 70,000 still did show up.  New stadium will probably be 65-67,000 seats and a different layout, but I wouldn't bank on a roof.

 

A roof makes it a year-round facility. They are not going to spend a half-billion on a place that gets used 10 times a year.

[BigBuff423]

44 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

A roof makes it a year-round facility. They are not going to spend a half-billion on a place that gets used 10 times a year.

 

Not to mention, football is just different now than when the Bills were the "Glory Years" Buffalo Bills. The game, the rules, the type of money, the players, the fans...the experience. Everything has changed. The Bills need to be contemporary in every way, and that includes a domed stadium. Right now there are still many dye-in-the-wool, hard-nosed fans that grew up in those glory years or older folks who still remember football the way it was intended. However, and this is gi-normous in terms of what to do now - society as a whole has become softer and more progressive in their approach to human comfort. The dome gets little kids, the next generation who spend a lot of time indoors, to be comfortable and yes, I know I sound old (I'm not that old, in my 40's) but this is just reality. 

 

Build a dome, make it young fan friendly, Offense friendly, year-round use, have it become a full day experience for kids and families, and make it the, The House that Allen Built. 

[PromoTheRobot]

40 minutes ago, BigBuff423 said:

 

Not to mention, football is just different now than when the Bills were the "Glory Years" Buffalo Bills. The game, the rules, the type of money, the players, the fans...the experience. Everything has changed. The Bills need to be contemporary in every way, and that includes a domed stadium. Right now there are still many dye-in-the-wool, hard-nosed fans that grew up in those glory years or older folks who still remember football the way it was intended. However, and this is gi-normous in terms of what to do now - society as a whole has become softer and more progressive in their approach to human comfort. The dome gets little kids, the next generation who spend a lot of time indoors, to be comfortable and yes, I know I sound old (I'm not that old, in my 40's) but this is just reality. 

 

Build a dome, make it young fan friendly, Offense friendly, year-round use, have it become a full day experience for kids and families, and make it the, The House that Allen Built. 

 

Also taking away an objection from potential free agents who don't want to play in the cold.

 

UB plays in a frigid outdoor stadium for those seeking that experience.

Edited February 3, 2020 by PromoTheRobot

[ALF]

It's all up to what Terry and Kim decide. A indoor  stadium would make me forget about the Sabres record . As long as the Bills stay in WNY I'm a happy camper.

[RochesterRob]

4 hours ago, BigDingus said:

If you look at costs of other stadiums built in the last 10-15 years, I don't see why it HAS to hit $1 billion in expenses unless it's just extremely expensive to build anything in NY.

The Cowboys' stadium cost $1.15 billion when it was built, and at the time was one of the most expensive stadiums ever constructed. Granted it's been like 10 years since then, but that thing is a MONSTER of a stadium, seating 100k people, has all the luxuries and amenities anyone could ask for and is loaded with extra attractions & state of the art facilities.

Inflation hasn't skyrocketed to some absurd amount since then, and the Bills would likely go for a more humble & reserved approach, so I'm only left with the explanation that NY is just insanely expensive?

Otherwise, we really should've built a new stadium years ago instead of kicking the can this far down the road.

 

AT&T Stadium (Cowboys) - $1.15 billion 2009 - ($1.55 billion 2019 cost)

Lucas Oil Stadium (Colts) - $720 million 2008 - ($843 million 2018 cost)

Levi Stadium (49ers) - $1.3 billion 2014 - ($1.4 billion 2019 cost)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Falcons) - $1.6 billion *projected after additional renovations* 2017 - (But with $900 million in sponsorship sales)

MetLife Stadium (Giants/Jets) - $1.6 billion 2010 - (1.88 billion in 2019 cost) but that's with/for 2 x teams contributing

State Farm Stadium (Cardinals) - $455 million 2006 - ($577 million in 2019 cost)

US Bank Stadium (Vikings) - $1 billion 2016 ($1.065 billion in 2019 cost)

 

I feel like the Bills could get away with a sub $1 billion, 60k-65k capacity stadium with a modest setup...something between Lucas Oil & US Bank Stadium. Unless it's just a given that they have to build up a bunch of shopping centers, bars, retail outlets, etc. around the stadium like the big dogs did (Cowboys/Rams), is it unreasonable to aim for $800-$900 million?

Maybe it is, and maybe NY state just makes that impossible. But seeing prices from years ago when renovation/new stadium talks began kicking around really irks me. Colts & Cardinals got away with domed stadiums for great prices, and if you go back further, teams like the Steelers were able to build new venues for what we've spent in renovations over the years.

  It's been said that it is more expensive to build in New York.  Also, if built downtown expect problems in terms of lawsuits which will require big money to go away.  Environmental impact studies.  

[purple haze]

5 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

A roof makes it a year-round facility. They are not going to spend a half-billion on a place that gets used 10 times a year.

Year around to do what though?  Concerts in the summer will happen.  But they have HSBC for the other concerts and most of the artist booked there could not be booked in a football stadium.  I get what you're saying, I just don't think the new stadium needs to be a year round facility.  Most football stadiums are not that.  Even having a roof doesn't mean there is sufficient activities to make it a year round facility.  It is what it is.

8 hours ago, BigDingus said:

If you look at costs of other stadiums built in the last 10-15 years, I don't see why it HAS to hit $1 billion in expenses unless it's just extremely expensive to build anything in NY.

NY is notorious for greased palms, in general.