The 141-page report made it clear: at least one consulting firm likes the idea of building a Buffalo Bills stadium downtown.
AECOM, a California-based firm, chose three locations in the city of Buffalo on its "shortlist" of possible sites, which immediately fueled speculation and discussion within the fan base. A downtown stadium could be cool, sure. It could boost the Cobblestone district and surrounding areas. But would there be enough space to park? What would happen to tailgating?
Luckily, for those opposed to a downtown stadium, the consulting firm also included a fourth site on its shortlist: the current site in Orchard Park. It analyzed the possibility of constructing a new facility just north of The Ralph, but it also noted that a renovation of the current facility would be the "least costly" option at a little more than $550 million. In its research, the consulting firm added that "as the largest potential site considered, the Orchard Park site provides the most parking capacity and resulting tailgating opportunities for fans."
And that's the crux of the dilemma.
The site in Orchard Park contains more than 180 acres. In comparison, the largest potential site within the city – the South Park location on the shortlist – only contains 122 acres, according to the firm.
Patrick Keem, a longtime Bills season ticket holder, has a vested interest in keeping the team in Orchard Park. He's the Town Supervisor.
But he's also a diehard Bills fan with a storied family tailgating tradition, which first began in the 1970s with his parents. Inevitably, that tradition then made its way down the family tree.
"Now, I take my grand kids to the game, and we tailgate," Keem said. "I'd hate to lose that tailgating experience."
Ralph Wilson Stadium brings an enormous amount of money into the Town of Orchard Park, which would all flow downtown if the stadium were to move there (Keem doesn't know the specific economic impact; the town is conducting a study to find that exact figure). Beyond the financial impact on his town, though, Keem also points out that a retrofit of the current stadium would save taxpayers the most money.
"I would try just retrofitting, like they did in Kansas City. Retrofit the stadium for about 500 million dollars. If it would cost a billion to build a new one, that's a half-billion dollars in savings we could do a lot with in Erie County, as far as roads, bridges and infrastructure," Keem said. "We're kind of connected at the hip with the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park."
Bills Mafia Co-Founder Del Reid grew up watching the team in Orchard Park, but he's open to ideas.
Just as long as it doesn't interfere with tailgating.
"I would really hope that whatever venue, if it's not in Orchard Park, has some kind of ability for fans to tailgate," Reid said. "But Bills fans are resourceful. They'll find a way to adapt and figure out the whole tailgating thing. Location won't stop anyone."
In addition to tailgating, Reid would also prefer a location with easy access for traffic and adequate parking.
At the end of the day, though, any location in Western New York is a good location.
"How [tailgating] would change, in terms of downtown, would be really interesting to see how that would play out. But like I said, Bills fans are adaptive. We'll figure it out," Reid said. "I don't know if I have a preference, as much as I'm just happy that the team is in Buffalo. I'd rather have to commute to Orchard Park than Toronto or Los Angeles or somewhere else."
