Ideas for development around new stadium

[mjd1001]

Not sure if this was posted yet or not, haven't seen it:

 

full article:  https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/nfl/future-of-the-bills/economic-development-ideas-new-buffalo-bills-stadium-site/71-6bf9dc8b-f307-4e56-abc8-0bebb1a86d17

 

Lorentz envisions both the Patriot Place retail, office, services mix concept as we've shown you before surrounding Gillette Stadium in the much larger Boston market.

But actually, the Titletown development built around Lambeau Field in Green Bay may be closer to the mark. He is already in touch with their planners.

 

Lorentz also has an idea for a location, but it's not right around the stadium. Lorentz suggests land right across from the existing Quaker Crossing retail complex on Milestrip Road.

"Build across the street from there," Lorentz said. "Build a beautiful hotel, a museum, everything else, and you're within walking distance to the stadium, or we can shuttle people to the stadium from there."

 

 

Personally, that last part I don't like. Building something "Bills related" that is over a mile away from the stadium to shuttle fans back and forth seems more like someone trying to get a land development deal done than building something for the fans.  'Walking distance' to the stadium is not 1.5 miles away, if you can't figure out something that is within sight of the new stadium, then that distance is too far.

 

Edited August 6, 2022 by mjd1001

[HOUSE]

Once the season ticket licensing starts, I will be watching the game from behind the barb wire fence, I would appreciate some high back cushioned seats with cup holders. 

[atlbillsfan1975]

The problem with putting anything around the stadium has to do with where the stadium is located. Who is going to drive out to Orchard Park when the Bills aren’t playing? Limits possibilities for anything. This was the major Con to building the stadium in Orchard Park

[mjd1001]

5 minutes ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

The problem with putting anything around the stadium has to do with where the stadium is located. Who is going to drive out to Orchard Park when the Bills aren’t playing? Limits possibilities for anything. This was the major Con to building the stadium in Orchard Park

A small museum dedicated to Bills history, a nicer, expanded Bills store. A cafe/restaurant/eatery open not just during games, and one or two other things (maybe a small, nice hotel) is something they can do.  Patriot Place I don't think can be replicated in OP, not enough demand for it.  But something closer to GB could be done, just DO NOT make it 1.5 miles from the stadium. Anything they do, no matter how big or small needs to be done right near the stadium.

[Orlando Tim]

3 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

A small museum dedicated to Bills history, a nicer, expanded Bills store. A cafe/restaurant/eatery open not just during games, and one or two other things (maybe a small, nice hotel) is something they can do.  Patriot Place I don't think can be replicated in OP, not enough demand for it.  But something closer to GB could be done, just DO NOT make it 1.5 miles from the stadium. Anything they do, no matter how big or small needs to be done right near the stadium.

I was in Boston last month and my Pats* loving extended family wanted to go but besides the mall nothing to do there until late in day. The top golf and other amenities are closed until at least 4 pm, so I don't think it is feasible in OP.

[RiotAct]

Tim Hortons, Delta Sonic, and call it a day.

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

If we can't build a stadium downtown, then let's just build a new downtown around the new stadium.

 

There will also need to be constant events at the stadium during the offseason to support these businesses.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Allen2Diggs

[Doc Brown]

Love the idea but Quaker Crossing is too far away from the stadium.

[mjd1001]

21 minutes ago, Buffalo Timmy said:

I was in Boston last month and my Pats* loving extended family wanted to go but besides the mall nothing to do there until late in day. The top golf and other amenities are closed until at least 4 pm, so I don't think it is feasible in OP.

Even near Boston with the money and population around there it is an iffy proposition.  I lived in that area in the past, my work office is about 10 minutes from Patriot Place, and when we vacation or visit friends in the area we stop by on occasion.  Not on gameday, but on an average typical weekday, its open but it isn't that busy. Over the years, a lot of shops have come and gone.  

Unless you live right near it, the shine has kinda worn off of it over the years. If you want nightlife, entertainment, or even a fun meal out, The Seaport District in Boston seems to be the new 'in' place to be.

 

I'm sure its great on gamedays or when events are going on, but I'd say 60% or more of time its pretty dead.  And that is in the Suburbs of Boston (not to mention Providence  RI being less than an hour away also.).  I agree something that size wouldn't do well in OP.

 

Edited August 6, 2022 by mjd1001

[LabattBlue]

Where were these “great” ideas over the last 50 years? Same town, same stadium location, surrounded by all kinds of land.
 

Just a few local political hacks looking to get their names in the paper, and spend someone elses money(developer or taxpayer). 

Edited August 6, 2022 by BTB

[Buffalo716]

9 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

Even near Boston with the money and population around there it is an iffy proposition.  I lived in that area in the past, my work office is about 10 minutes from Patriot Place, and when we vacation or visit friends in the area we stop by on occasion.  Not on gameday, but on an average typical weekday, its open but it isn't that busy. Over the years, a lot of shops have come and gone.  

Unless you live right near it, the shine has kinda worn off of it over the years. If you want nightlife, entertainment, or even a fun meal out, The Seaport District in Boston seems to be the new 'in' place to be.

 

I'm sure its great on gamedays or when events are going on, but I'd say 60% or more of time its pretty dead.  And that is in the Suburbs of Boston (not to mention Providence  RI being less than an hour away also.).  I agree something that size wouldn't do well in OP.

 

Just spent a few days in the Seaport District

 

I definitely felt it was the place to be in Boston

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

Without a venue that can conduct events all year, it is very hard to attract and keep restaurants and retail businesses in a reasonably remote location.  I won't use the four letter "D" word here but with the current new stadium design, a big chunk of the year will be inactive.  

[Buffalo716]

Remember When the bills And the city Did an advisory Council to figure out all the details for the stadium? 
 

Remember when They said that a new stadium will bring as much economic impact to Western New York as a new target? 
 

The bills Want a football stadium.. to Play football in… that’s it

Just now, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

Without a venue that can conduct events all year, it is very hard to attract and keep restaurants and retail businesses in a reasonably remote location.  I won't use the four letter "D" word here but with the current new stadium design, a big chunk of the year will be inactive.  

The bills are perfectly fine with that… They don’t want a multi use facility they said time and time again

 

They wanna build a football stadium

[mjd1001]

27 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Just spent a few days in the Seaport District

 

I definitely felt it was the place to be in Boston

Boston isn't a city that is known to get stuff done quickly, but it is startling to see how fast they developed that area, compared to what is happening at Canalside, when planning and development started about the same time (within a few years)

 

The seaport district 15-20 years ago was not a place you wanted to be. Abandoned warehouses and empty parking lots.  Yet today, it is filled with glass skyscrapers 20-30 stories tall (or more) for business hotels and apartments, high end restaurants, outdoor plazas, nightlife, rooftop bars overlooking the downtown skyline,  the Childrens museum, new subway stations and more. Its a place that families can walk around feeling safe at night. It hasn't taken away from Downtown boston, instead it is like a whole mini-city that was built attached to it.

Now, I'm not comparing the money available in Boston to Buffalo, but still, that one district of the city is brand new and it probably has multiple times more development in it than all of Western NY combined and it has turned into a really, really great place.

Whoever is in charge of Canalside should look at how things were approved and done there.

[Augie]

1 hour ago, RiotAct said:

Tim Hortons, Delta Sonic, and call it a day.

 

Only if there is room left over after we add the iconic Applebee’s and Dave & Buster’s. That’s what we are know for, after all. 

 

The area is too remote to build much around it. I just can’t see it. Use the space for nearby parking. 

 

 

.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Augie

[LabattBlue]

13 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

Boston isn't a city that is known to get stuff done quickly, but it is startling to see how fast they developed that area, compared to what is happening at Canalside, when planning and development started about the same time (within a few years)

 

The seaport district 15-20 years ago was not a place you wanted to be. Abandoned warehouses and empty parking lots.  Yet today, it is filled with glass skyscrapers 20-30 stories tall (or more) for business hotels and apartments, high end restaurants, outdoor plazas, nightlife, rooftop bars overlooking the downtown skyline,  the Childrens museum, new subway stations and more. Its a place that families can walk around feeling safe at night. It hasn't taken away from Downtown boston, instead it is like a whole mini-city that was built attached to it.

Now, I'm not comparing the money available in Boston to Buffalo, but still, that one district of the city is brand new and it probably has multiple times more development in it than all of Western NY combined and it has turned into a really, really great place.

Whoever is in charge of Canalside should look at how things were approved and done there.

Yeah but do they have shark girl and a bunch of multi-colored adirondack chairs in Boston? The state agency overseeing canalside and the outer harbor should be embarrassed by how slow progress has been.  Worst part of it all…a big hole in the ground for the last decade plus, where the front half of the Aud used to be. 

Edited August 6, 2022 by BTB

[Process]

It's in the middle of nowhere. I doubt they do much if anything.

[Don Otreply]

If this was viable, don’t ya think  it would already exist in some fashion or another?  Like has been said above, this is a hype job for a land deal could it happen? Sure, it’s likely? No, 

[Punching Bag]

30 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Only if there is room left over after we add the iconic Applebee’s and Dave & Buster’s. That’s what we are know for, after all. 

 

The area is too remote to build much around it. I just can’t see it. Use the space for nearby parking. 

 

 

Maybe Duffs can add a new location.

[Artful Dodger]

Miniature golf course with one of those revolving windmills.  👍

[LeGOATski]

Indian burial ground

[Shaw66]

Personally, I think it would be a mistake to develop anyplace other than right at the stadium, like the Packers did.   If you're going to build a hotel to serve tourists who want to see a museum and fans who want to attend a game, the hotel and the museum all should be right there, not a mile away, not where people need to take a shuttle bus between hotel and stadium or museum and stadium.  No long walks.  It needs to be one complete destination, not two separate destinations.  

[PonyBoy]

3 hours ago, Augie said:

 

Only if there is room left over after we add the iconic Applebee’s and Dave & Buster’s. That’s what we are know for, after all. 

 

The area is too remote to build much around it. I just can’t see it. Use the space for nearby parking. 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

Did you say a Dave & Busters in Orchard Park???   #MarshawnLynchCan'twait!!! 😂

[May Day 10]

3 hours ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

The problem with putting anything around the stadium has to do with where the stadium is located. Who is going to drive out to Orchard Park when the Bills aren’t playing? Limits possibilities for anything. This was the major Con to building the stadium in Orchard Park

 

To be perfectly honest, downtown buffalo is the same way.  If there isn't some event to draw folks in from the suburbs, it's pretty much dead as a door nail.  

 

There needs to be fortune 500 anchor tenant(s) there resulting in people actually residing in and spending downtown

[Rigby]

Topless car wash with a steak house attached to it.

[major]

4 hours ago, RiotAct said:

Tim Hortons, Delta Sonic, and call it a day.

You might be right on those. I’m always fascinated at development, or lack thereof around nfl stadiums. In Arlington TX they don’t have much around at@t stadium, unless you count the Walmart, cici’s, or Taco Bell. In Kansas City there is no development around arrowhead, etc… Its always a selling point: all these businesses will come if you build a stadium. I’ve not seen the fruit of that at most nfl venues

Edited August 6, 2022 by major

[Captain_Quint]

I heard from a friend that the location of the museum will be Dunkirk, and they will build a monorail between the stadium and museum.

 

Don't shoot the messenger. 

 

[WhoTom]

2 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said:

I heard from a friend that the location of the museum will be Dunkirk, and they will build a monorail between the stadium and museum.

 

Don't shoot the messenger. 

 

 

I heard it was Niagara Falls.

 

[sullim4]

Looking at the map, I see heavy rail between I-90 and NY-5.  I wonder how hard it would be to build a 2 mile extension from the stadium to that and run a shuttle train between there and downtown.

 

That would solve a number of issues with parking, lack of lodging in the area, and drunk drivers that inevitably do stupid things after the game.  The Bills attract a lot of out-of-towners given the migration out of WNY and they really need some lodging that isn't a significant drive away.  Personally, I would really like to have something like this.

Edited August 6, 2022 by sullim4

[Solomon Grundy]

4 hours ago, RiotAct said:

Tim Hortons, Delta Sonic, and call it a day.

Mighty Taco too

[RiotAct]

1 hour ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Mighty Taco too

YES.  Gotta attract all those out-of-town corporate types who will be sitting in the suites at the new digs

[KDIGGZ]

Knock down ECC south and you have tons of room for hotel, restaurants, brewery, museum, etc 

[BillStime]

6 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

Even near Boston with the money and population around there it is an iffy proposition.  I lived in that area in the past, my work office is about 10 minutes from Patriot Place, and when we vacation or visit friends in the area we stop by on occasion.  Not on gameday, but on an average typical weekday, its open but it isn't that busy. Over the years, a lot of shops have come and gone.  

Unless you live right near it, the shine has kinda worn off of it over the years. If you want nightlife, entertainment, or even a fun meal out, The Seaport District in Boston seems to be the new 'in' place to be.

 

I'm sure its great on gamedays or when events are going on, but I'd say 60% or more of time its pretty dead.  And that is in the Suburbs of Boston (not to mention Providence  RI being less than an hour away also.).  I agree something that size wouldn't do well in OP.

 

Yep! That’s why they had to add medical offices to get people out there.

 

Patriot Place sucks and is dead most of the time.

[Mrbojanglezs]

Folding table factory 

[BigDingus]

19 hours ago, major said:

You might be right on those. I’m always fascinated at development, or lack thereof around nfl stadiums. In Arlington TX they don’t have much around at@t stadium, unless you count the Walmart, cici’s, or Taco Bell. In Kansas City there is no development around arrowhead, etc… Its always a selling point: all these businesses will come if you build a stadium. I’ve not seen the fruit of that at most nfl venues

 

I don't know about the others, but in Arlington, there's a ton of stuff surrounding the entire place. That's not to mention all the stuff going on inside that massive stadium, and the fact it can be used all year for tons of other events due to its roof.

 

Every time I've been there outside of football, we end up spending the day doing stuff in that area. Similar to the American Airlines Center each time I would see a Mavs game, there's a lot to do in the surrounding area just being in close proximity to everything else.

 

I don't have great knowledge of the surrounding area in Orchard Park, but I can't even remember a single thing in the area besides neighborhoods. Every time I traveled to Buffalo to watch a game, we never did anything around the stadium because the area felt empty.

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

Dollar General, nail salon and a vape shop … the true growth industries in WNY … git er dun 😂

[djp14150]

55 minutes ago, AlCowlingsTaxiService said:

Dollar General, nail salon and a vape shop … the true growth industries in WNY … git er dun 😂

 

flashbacks to the bass pro stuff……

[LabattBlue]

IMO the best chance to have activity around the new stadium on non game days and in the off season, it to have an attached Bills HoF, large stadium store, and stadium tours.  
 

Anything more than that beyond the handful of restaurants that already exist is a bit of a pipe dream. 
 

 

[boater]

OP is a sleepy place, and will remain so no matter what you build around the stadium.

 

Too bad building a downtown stadium would have cost an additional billion more (and God knows the inevitable lawsuits, no actual construction until 2030).. downtown would otherwise be great.

[US Egg]

23 hours ago, Artful Dodger said:

Miniature golf course with one of those revolving windmills.  👍

…..surrounded by an indoor year round water park with attached restaurants and hotel.