Bills’ new stadium already attracting spectators

With the Bills being a huge part of Buffalo’s culture and the project being one of the largest construction projects in Western New York history, people naturally want to come out and take a look.

So looking at a new stadium became a thing.

People stop by on their way to the Bills store, or on their way to or from work or other destinations around Orchard Park. Many take photos and post them on social media, noting the progress of the $1.7 billion project. Even those visiting the Buffalo area from out of town make sure to stop by.

The site has been a draw since construction began last June, but it’s become even more of a must-see this summer for Bills fans, tourists and neighbors as the stadium begins to take shape and the weather warms up.

Margaret Fisher of Hamburg, a Bills season ticket holder since 1985, lives and works just around the corner from the project. She regularly takes photos to post on social media and to send to out-of-town family members to keep them updated on the progress.

“It’s exciting, for sure,” she said.

Brian Smaszcz, owner of the Big Tree Inn, which offers a view of the new stadium from the corner of Big Tree and Abbott roads, said three men visiting the area from Dallas were in the bar and restaurant last week after checking out the construction.

“There’s a lot of talk about the new stadium,” Smaszcz said. “A lot of people have come to us and said they want to see where the construction of the new stadium is at.”

Work is expected to continue for another two years, with completion expected before the start of the 2026 season. Several hundred workers are on site every day, and the workforce is expected to exceed 1,000 people per day this summer.

Large precast concrete pieces are being installed, helping to transform the steel structure into a more complete structure. This follows the first signs of steel emerging from the ‘pit’ in April. Work is currently underway on the second level (gate level) and third level of the five-tier stadium.

Last February, the first steel column of the project was placed underground, on the lower, or first, level of the immense basin that forms the foundation of the stadium.

“It’s the largest project in Western New York and the Bills have such a special place in the community that I think most people are interested in knowing what’s going on there and how it’s going on,” said Steve Ranalli, president of the Erie County Stadium Corp., the state entity overseeing the project.

Ranalli, whose office is located next to construction on ECC’s South Campus, has seen people stop their cars and set up on the east side of Abbott Road — the current side of Highmark Stadium — to take photos. Some are heading into the fenced-in area to get as close as possible, something the state does not recommend.

He remembers when the downtown arena — now the KeyBank Center — was under construction in the mid-1990s and Memorial Auditorium was being demolished. That work drew spectators’ attention. This time, the new venue has gotten more media coverage, which has led to more interest in what’s happening there.

“I went out the other day and a guy was setting up on Abbott Road to take some pictures,” Ranalli said in the spring. “He was on the side of the existing stadium, so I didn’t yell at him. I think that’s where everyone should try to stand.”

One of the most popular places to observe what’s happening is the Bills Store parking lot across from the construction site, where there’s constant foot traffic. The Bills and their stadium consultant Legends, who runs the Bills Store across from the current stadium, declined to comment.

Some stadium watchers stop on a street between One Bills Drive and Abbott Road, and others head to the parking lots and walkways of the nearby ECC Mall, near Southwestern Boulevard and Big Tree Road.

They also head to establishments located near the construction site, such as Prohibition, at the corner of Southwestern Boulevard and Abbott Road.

“We see it all the time,” said Bernadette Sanger, manager of the Prohibition bar. “People come here right after they tour the new stadium.”

It’s not uncommon to see traffic slow on Abbott Road as drivers pass the construction site and do a few laps around the track, Ranalli said.

Empire State Development recommends stadium observers park in either the Bills Store parking lot or Lot 2 on Abbott Road if they want to view construction.

Construction safety officers patrol the west side of Abbott Road in areas considered part of the construction zone.

“I think now people are seeing pictures of the steel being removed and as the weather improves they will start parking in the existing parking lots across the street on Abbott Road to take it all in,” Ranalli said.

“There might be a few picnics held on Lot 2 during the off-season,” he joked.

Eric Matwijow, longtime owner of the popular Hammer’s Lot, has seen people stop on his property to take a look. His property, across from the current stadium and sports complex, is sandwiched between the construction site and is probably one of the best places to take a look, but it’s private land.

“I have people who come to my yard. About once a week, they sit there and watch what’s going on,” said Matwijow, a roofer by trade. “Every day, there seems to be a little more work and a little more activity on the job site.”

Expect more spectators in August, when tens of thousands will return to the area with the Bills back in action.

The Bills return to the stadium for Blue & Red practice on Aug. 2, then host two preseason games in August.

By early next year, all the steel should be in place and Ranalli expects spectators to be able to see the entire shape of the stadium, including the final level, which will be the canopy.

“I think more and more people will come,” Ranalli said. “And it’s crazy to think that we’re not that far away from training camp and preseason games, and we know fans are starting to show up for these kinds of things. I think people will be blown away by everything that’s happened since the end of last season.”

Local businesses around the stadium have seen an increase in traffic, not only from stadium-goers, but also from construction crews who frequent their establishments for food and drinks.

Melissa Miller, Prohibition’s back-of-house manager, said construction workers come in every day, so the establishment decided to host a free barbecue for them on Thursday with hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as sausages donated by Hanzlian’s.

Meanwhile, the Big Tree Inn is offering construction workers a discount on their bills when they present their stadium ID.