Bills Stadium Deal Nearing Final Approval, Vote Coming Soon
The Buffalo Bills have been working towards a deal for a new stadium in Orchard Park New York. Now, that deal is reportedly near its final approval.
According to The Buffalo News, Erie County Legislature is holding a special session to "vote on all of the agreements associated with the new $1.54 billion Bills stadium." If all goes well, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says the Bills could begin work on the new stadium by the end of the week.
"I'm hopeful that they'll all support it," Poloncarz said. "If that's the case, I fully expect groundbreaking will commence very soon thereafter, including, possibly, that day."
The Legislature is reportedly holding two work sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, with a final vote taking place in a special session on Thursday afternoon. According to the report, approval of the deal is expected.
Roughly half a dozen lawyers and administrators will attend the sessions to answer the Legislature's questions. However, as of Tuesday, no representatives from the Bills themselves are scheduled to attend.
Wednesday's session will focus on an overview of the deal itself, as well as an extension of the Bills' lease with Highmark Stadium to continue playing there until the new stadium is complete. Thursday's session will focus on more particular details of the deal between the team and the state, such as a non-relocation agreement and community benefits agreement.
The Bills have been playing in Highmark Stadium, under various names, since 1973. If the Legislature does approve the new stadium deal on Thursday, then that 50-year tenure could be coming to an end.
You can follow Jonathan Alfano on Twitter at @JonAlfano_News
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