Officials of Pegula Sports and Entertainment are making a case that the growing list of structural, architectural, mechanical issues and site deficiencies at Highmark Stadium make renovation of the stadium impractical. "Renovating is not an option," a spokesman said, citing the 2021 architectural study commissioned by Erie County to support the company's conclusion that the current stadium is approaching the end of its useful life.
Upper deck concerns
The southeast end of the 300-level upper deck in Highmark Stadium shows patches from previous repairs.
Structural deterioration
Detail of the separation between two concrete sections at the southeast end of the upper deck.
Repairs and braces
From the concourse below the 300 level, there is visible evidence of concrete patching as well as steel beams that have been added to increase the structural stability of the upper deck.
Cantilever
In the cantilevered section of the 300 level that hangs over the 200 level, post tension supports were added to add structural integrity.
Post tension supports
Detail of the post tension supports that were installed to the 300 level cantilever.
Settling concrete
Cracks in the concourse at Highmark Stadium.
Constant repair
Recent masonry repair on the wall in the vomitorium leading to the 100 level is one type of regular maintenance needed.
Cracks and patches
A stairway down to the field in the 100 level shows cracks and recent patching at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Concourse concrete
The floor of the concourse at Highmark Stadium shows signs of repeated concrete patching.
ADA access limits
ADA seating in the 100 level allows for one wheelchair and one companion in the back row of each section.
Suites not accessible
Stairs up to the suites in the Pepsi Club mean that many of the suites at Highmark Stadium are not ADA accessible.
Food service separated
There is a flurry of activity at the entrance to the food service building as vendors prepare for a concert at Highmark Stadium. Due to a lack of a service level and space in general, all food served in the stadium is prepared in an adjacent building.
Staging area
Cases of beer and popcorn are ready for an event in the Food Service building at Highmark Stadium. To be served, these items will be trucked into the concourse as needed to keep vendors supplied.
Field access limited by one tunnel
Highmark Stadium has only one tunnel offering field access, which creates challenges for loading in equipment and limits access to the playing field for players and staff.
Where the water goes
Evidence of water damage remains on ceiling tiles in the M&T Club at Highmark Stadium.
Infiltration an issue
Evidence of water infiltration on ductwork and concrete ceilings inside the concourse at Highmark Stadium.
Where the garbage goes
Dumpsters line the perimeter of Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Because there is no service level, all the trash produced during events has to be brought through the concourse full of fans to rows of dumpsters.
Bills and PSE officials insist that a growing list of issues and problems at Highmark Stadium can only be solved by building a new stadium.
"I think a new stadium is what’s needed. I think it’s going to require a public-private partnership," Goodell said Monday while visiting the Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Tournament in Batavia.
What is an NFL stadium and team worth to a municipality and a state? That’s a question the Bills are attempting to answer as part of their negotiating strategy with Erie County and New York State.
Bills owners Kim and Terry Pegula plan to pay for a portion of their share of any “public/private partnership” struck with New York State and Erie County to construct a new stadium by selling personal seat licenses.
