Draconator Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2015/08/27/decades-old-blueprints-for-proposed-bills-dome-stadium-in-lancaster-on-display Article is from 2015. I wonder if we can still see the plans somewhere. LANCASTER, N.Y. -- The debate over a location for a Bills stadium is apparently nothing new. Recovered blueprints from the 1970's show that a dome stadium was proposed in Lancaster nearly 50 years ago. Looking at 1970s blueprints for the proposed Dome Stadium in Lancaster brings back memories for Paul Welker. "I had some mixed emotions because I thought it would be a great thing for Lancaster, you know, like put us on the map," said Welker of Lancaster. That actually never happened. But close to 50 years later, the original blueprints were discovered in old Erie County Hall storage untouched for decades. Erie County Legislator Ted Morton delivered them to the Lancaster Historical Society Thursday for public display. "All of the talk of the stadium took place in the late 60's, and of course just reading myself some of the articles at that time the divide that existed not only with Ralph Wilson but with residents to build this stadium here," said Morton. The dome stadium was proposed for Pleasant View Drive, where an environmental consulting firm has stood since 1988. "I know there were people who were really opposed to it they were going to lose their home if they lived on Pleasant View Drive. But then other people who lived on Pleasant View Drive said I'll build the biggest hot dog stand you ever saw and I'll be rich," said Theresa Wolfe, Lancaster Historical Society vice president. The Lancaster stadium that never was, was intended to house the Bills and a baseball team. But not everyone was on the same page. "Matter of fact it appears that it was the legislature at that time that wanted Lancaster and wanted a Dome stadium, not the owner of the Buffalo Bills," said Morton. The long drawn out project ultimately ended with the Ralph Wilson Stadium being built in Orchard Park. But the blueprints for a Lancaster stadium make some wonder... what if? "The only thing that I thought was maybe not so good was the congestion. But I still probably would've leaned more for having it here," said Welker. The blueprints are being loaned to the Lancaster Historical Society, while work is underway to have them legally turned over. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 In before this is the stadium thread that never was.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 The plot of land is now filled with several hundred houses, and is renowned for this Christmas tradition... https://www.stonybrookshines.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 2 minutes ago, BTB said: The plot of land is now filled with several hundred houses, and is renowned for this Christmas tradition... https://www.stonybrookshines.com/ We went last year and were blown away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Draconator said: We went last year and were blown away! Yes. Easy to lose your bearings, in an attempt to see all the lights, 😂 but a "must see" every year! Maybe this should be added to the "things to see and do list" for out of towners coming in for a game between Thanksgiving and New Years. Edited October 29, 2021 by BTB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 6 minutes ago, BTB said: The plot of land is now filled with several hundred houses, and is renowned for this Christmas tradition... https://www.stonybrookshines.com/ How lame! 20 something drunks smashing tables and setting themselves on fire 🔥 is much better! 😏 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 3 minutes ago, BTB said: Yes. Easy to lose your bearings, in an attempt to see all the lights, 😂 but a "must see" every year! Maybe this should be added to the "things to see and do list" for out of towners coming in for a game between Thanksgiving and New Years. That is a really great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 That stadium would have been outdated in 20 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted October 29, 2021 Author Share Posted October 29, 2021 1 minute ago, MarkyMannn said: That stadium would have been outdated in 20 years True, but it would probably have been renovated, a la the Ralph, or may have been a catalyst for an more modern facility. And if a Major League Baseball team were to have been moved to Buffalo, we could have seen Football and Baseball only stadiums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah John Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I remember at one point there was an announcement that the domed stadium was going to be built. All the parties that had to sign off on it, had done so. I remember one of the old AM stations with a little jingle, We've Got the Dome. It seemed to be a done deal. All the talk of Ralph Wilson visiting Seattle died down. It fell through, obviously, and I don't remember what stopped things. I loved the Orchard Park location, since I grew up in SW West Seneca and could walk home from the stadium. I think I did that twice, on warm late-summer evenings, and despite the distance I wasn't very far behind the people who drove and had to deal with traffic on Abbott Road. I think a domed stadium would deprive the Bills from a serious home-field advantage in December (or November) and would detract from the atmosphere. Regardless of where the new stadium ends up, I hope it's not a dome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted October 30, 2021 Author Share Posted October 30, 2021 5 minutes ago, Utah John said: It fell through, obviously, and I don't remember what stopped things. An article I found earlier answers that question. https://buffalonews.com/news/two-decades-later-developers-rediscover-dome-stadium-site/article_e32e5e06-b116-5aa0-afb3-e3e4afbc93fd.html Quote Construction estimates came in at least $22 million higher than the $50 million the county had bonded. The county backed out and a 20-year legal battle began. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 47 minutes ago, MarkyMannn said: That stadium would have been outdated in 20 years Kind of like Rich Stadium was? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 13 minutes ago, Utah John said: I remember at one point there was an announcement that the domed stadium was going to be built. All the parties that had to sign off on it, had done so. I remember one of the old AM stations with a little jingle, We've Got the Dome. It seemed to be a done deal. All the talk of Ralph Wilson visiting Seattle died down. It fell through, obviously, and I don't remember what stopped things. I loved the Orchard Park location, since I grew up in SW West Seneca and could walk home from the stadium. I think I did that twice, on warm late-summer evenings, and despite the distance I wasn't very far behind the people who drove and had to deal with traffic on Abbott Road. I think a domed stadium would deprive the Bills from a serious home-field advantage in December (or November) and would detract from the atmosphere. Regardless of where the new stadium ends up, I hope it's not a dome. Yep. Roofs sterilize the game. It's ***** football. Anyone watching the world series? It's raining! Oh no! 🙄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubledd67 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I agree the new stadium should be outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted October 30, 2021 Author Share Posted October 30, 2021 I'm in favor of a retractable roof, but there won't be funding for that. I like the proposal set by the Bills for covered seating with the field open. A full time dome although nice during the winter takes away from Buffalo Bills football. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison bread and buttered Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 My grandmother owned 20 of those stadium acres in some way shape or form.....she was offered 100K an acre and a 50K a year stripend for 25 years with a 5% increase a year back then....my mom was her only child ...... the "what if" at our family get togethers brings lots of laughs.....she end up selling the land for something like 50K in the late 70's ...we probably would have all stayed in the area if it had happened(we all left the BUF to chase the "George" in America's neither lands).....I would love to hear how life turned out for some of the original/majority land owners of where The Rich/Ralph/New E stands......GO BILLS!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 10 minutes ago, Draconator said: I'm in favor of a retractable roof, but there won't be funding for that. I like the proposal set by the Bills for covered seating with the field open. A full time dome although nice during the winter takes away from Buffalo Bills football. I'd be a fan if they used it sparingly or never for football games. Close it for other stuff like concerts or whatever. But retractable roofs become overused crutches. They close them at any slight hint of precipitation. I say don't even give them that option for football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 As I recall, the dome was an inflatable type. Not sure how that would have handled the Blizzard of 77, etc. I think the contractor was an outfit called Bird/Byrd? air. It would have been very handy to the airport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 4 hours ago, Draconator said: True, but it would probably have been renovated, a la the Ralph, or may have been a catalyst for an more modern facility. And if a Major League Baseball team were to have been moved to Buffalo, we could have seen Football and Baseball only stadiums. Wasn't that stadium holding like 48k? It was just small 3 hours ago, Beast said: Kind of like Rich Stadium was? Yeah but we're still using it LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 3 hours ago, Utah John said: I loved the Orchard Park location, since I grew up in SW West Seneca and could walk home from the stadium. I think I did that twice, on warm late-summer evenings, and despite the distance I wasn't very far behind the people who drove and had to deal with traffic on Abbott Road. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah John Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 3 hours ago, Just Jack said: I was quicker than that, but it wasn't hard to beat the traffic at least as far as Lake Avenue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 9 hours ago, Marv's Neighbor said: As I recall, the dome was an inflatable type. Not sure how that would have handled the Blizzard of 77, etc. I think the contractor was an outfit called Bird/Byrd? air. It would have been very handy to the airport. I don’t think that is correct, I believe it was a solid dome. I remember a scale model of it at the Boulevard Mall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Boy Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I grew up a mile from there and my Mom used to talk about how happy she was it never happened. As a kid, we used to hunt back there. There was a pretty big lawsuit that went on for decades regarding that site afterwards though I don’t know the particulars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Direhard Fan Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I was on The Resonsible Dome Action Comm While working at the Big N in Cheektowaga. As I remember it the Council split 50-50 with the Dems and Republicans. The mayor was a Dem and said no to it. We had a huge display in the store and you could sign a petition for it. Politics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 Another article(no paywall) detailing what happened, and the subsequent lawsuit filed by Ed Cottrell. https://ampoleagle.com/when-it-comes-to-a-new-stadium-we-should-learn-from-the-past-p8386-208.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) I grew up in Lancaster and remember hearing the stories of the dome stadium that never was - would have been right behind the high school Edited October 30, 2021 by stevewin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 On 10/30/2021 at 9:10 AM, chris heff said: I don’t think that is correct, I believe it was a solid dome. I remember a scale model of it at the Boulevard Mall. It;s a long time ago but there may have been more than one version, and inflatable was being discussed. The same company did some building for the NY World's Fair 64-65, so they were in the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ (not THAT RJ) Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 The Carrier Dome, which came a decade later, was the first experiment with inflatable roofs. I don't remember if it was related to the plans for Lancaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 Lancaster would have been a better location than OP considering how many people are coming in to games from Canada and points east (Rocha, cha and cuse) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 Still waiting for the Letchworth blueprints ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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