Stadium Construction Discussion (No PSL/Seat selection posts)

[Mike in Horseheads]

If they knocked off the upper deck how many seats are in that lower bowl?  Seems like it could be used for all kinds of sports and concerts that are not big enough for the Ralph II.   would be one way to draw more more people in OP to make a hotel and eatery make more sense

[Buffalo716]

9 minutes ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

If they knocked off the upper deck how many seats are in that lower bowl?  Seems like it could be used for all kinds of sports and concerts that are not big enough for the Ralph II.   would be one way to draw more more people in OP to make a hotel and eatery make more sense

The lower bowl does hold a decent amount..  but.. and this is the big but

 

If a concert is too small for the football stadium it goes to the hockey arena.. they don't need a half torn down football stadium for small concerts 

 

This also goes back to the stadium study... They did for over a decade... Which Came to the conclusion that a multi-use domed football stadium has a negligible impact on an economy..  it has about the same impact as a brand new Target 

 

Jerry Jones's Palace which is the most beautiful dome in the world has about 10 events planned for all of 2025... 10

 

How many events would a buffalo dome hold? 4-5 a year? In the grand scheme of things  it's just not worth it for the cost 

 

It cost millions of dollars to upkeep Ralph Wilson stadium yearly they're not keeping it open for two concerts

 

Orchard Park is a town that likes staying a small town.. nine times a year it becomes a small City.. that's really how the residents of orchard Park like it.. they voted no to marijuana shops, they vote no to a lot of stuff 

 

They do not want to grow into cheektowaga...  they don't care about having more shops or restaurants or hotels 

 

Orchard Park was a great place for the bills because it's a small community that becomes large a few times a year and then goes right back to Small Time

Edited April 1 by Buffalo716

[Mike in Horseheads]

3 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

The lower bowl does hold a decent amount..  but.. and this is the big but

 

If a concert is too small for the football stadium it goes to the hockey arena.. they don't need a half torn down football stadium for small concerts 

 

This also goes back to the stadium study... They did for over a decade... Which Came to the conclusion that a multi-use domed football stadium has a negligible impact on an economy..  it has about the same impact as a brand new Target 

 

Jerry Jones's Palace which is the most beautiful dome in the world has about 10 events planned for all of 2025... 10

 

How many events would a buffalo dome hold? 4-5 a year? In the grand scheme of things  it's just not worth it for the cost 

 

It cost millions of dollars to upkeep Ralph Wilson stadium yearly they're not keeping it open for two concerts

 

Orchard Park is a town that likes staying a small town.. nine times a year it becomes a small City.. that's really how the residents of orchard Park like it.. they voted no to marijuana shops, they vote no to a lot of stuff 

 

They do not want to grow into cheektowaga...  they don't care about having more shops or restaurants or hotels 

 

Orchard Park was a great place for the bills because it's a small community that becomes large a few times a year and then goes right back to Small Time

Fair enough just throwing it out there

[Buffalo716]

4 minutes ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Fair enough just throwing it out there

I would love for it to stay 

 

So many kids around Western New York grow up wanting to play high school football playoffs at the Ralph 

 

I had some good memories there and there's a lot of nostalgia... I'm sure the playoffs might just get moved to the new stadium 

 

But it would be really cool if the youth football players of the Buffalo area got to continue playing on a historic field ... Every high school football player in the area dreams of going to the Ralph 

 

And it seems that era is about to be passed

Edited April 1 by Buffalo716

[Virgil]

48 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

I mean besides the locals who want it for high school sports...  Which I'm in 

 

But realistically having two massive stadiums right next to each other serves zero purpose... It's old and falling apart I don't get what's weird about it besides our actual attachment and nostalgia 

 

Most stadiums 35+ years old that are replaced are torn down... The rockpile has just basically an outer shell and not much upkeep cost..  keeping Ralph Wilson stadium up and in any sort of shape would be a lot of money on the taxpayers again ... Terry rents The stadium from Erie county who maintain it... And they probably don't want to pay millions of dollars to keep it going yearly

It’s purely nostalgia.  The fact that the stadium will be good enough to host us, and then be completely gone two months later. 
 

 

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, Virgil said:

It’s purely nostalgia.  The fact that the stadium will be good enough to host us, and then be completely gone two months later. 
 

 

Yea it sucks 

 

I'm going to enjoy the season every second

[enoff]

I’m curious about something the people out there might know more about than me. In looking at the Titans' New stadium, it appears that the Titans have decided to use concrete-based framing for their new structure. This is fundamentally different from the Bills' use of steel-based framing.

 

I appreciate the fact that both structures will ultimately use a great deal of steel and concrete, but if you look at the pictures of the Titans' new stadium, you will see that it looks nothing like the construction of the Bills' new stadium. While the Titan Stadium has a roof, I don’t believe that is the reason why the Titans used concrete-based framing.

 

From the little I do know about this type of thing, I know the use of steel construction tends to be quicker and does not require as strong of foundation as concrete-based buildings.  I know the Bills had plenty of lead time to build the stadium so timing was not critical in the selection of steel-based framing.  Likewise, the ground underneath Orchard Park is rock-hard and would support a concrete structure.

 

Given the cost of steel, relative to concrete, the decision to use steel likely increased the cost of the project substantially.  So I am curious why the Bills went the steel framing route.  

 

[billsfanmiamioh]

1 hour ago, enoff said:

I’m curious about something the people out there might know more about than me. In looking at the Titans' New stadium, it appears that the Titans have decided to use concrete-based framing for their new structure. This is fundamentally different from the Bills' use of steel-based framing.

 

I appreciate the fact that both structures will ultimately use a great deal of steel and concrete, but if you look at the pictures of the Titans' new stadium, you will see that it looks nothing like the construction of the Bills' new stadium. While the Titan Stadium has a roof, I don’t believe that is the reason why the Titans used concrete-based framing.

 

From the little I do know about this type of thing, I know the use of steel construction tends to be quicker and does not require as strong of foundation as concrete-based buildings.  I know the Bills had plenty of lead time to build the stadium so timing was not critical in the selection of steel-based framing.  Likewise, the ground underneath Orchard Park is rock-hard and would support a concrete structure.

 

Given the cost of steel, relative to concrete, the decision to use steel likely increased the cost of the project substantially.  So I am curious why the Bills went the steel framing route.  

 

Winter weather is hell on concrete

[eball]

2 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

If they knocked off the upper deck how many seats are in that lower bowl?  Seems like it could be used for all kinds of sports and concerts that are not big enough for the Ralph II.   would be one way to draw more more people in OP to make a hotel and eatery make more sense

 

Along those lines…I wonder if there is not a plan for some economic development (besides just stadium parking) in the vacated space?  I’m not a planner but perhaps some dining, retail…something that OP and other area residents would visit year-round, with special events scheduled around game/other stadium event days?

 

 

Edited April 2 by eball

[SoCal Deek]

2 hours ago, enoff said:

I’m curious about something the people out there might know more about than me. In looking at the Titans' New stadium, it appears that the Titans have decided to use concrete-based framing for their new structure. This is fundamentally different from the Bills' use of steel-based framing.

 

I appreciate the fact that both structures will ultimately use a great deal of steel and concrete, but if you look at the pictures of the Titans' new stadium, you will see that it looks nothing like the construction of the Bills' new stadium. While the Titan Stadium has a roof, I don’t believe that is the reason why the Titans used concrete-based framing.

 

From the little I do know about this type of thing, I know the use of steel construction tends to be quicker and does not require as strong of foundation as concrete-based buildings.  I know the Bills had plenty of lead time to build the stadium so timing was not critical in the selection of steel-based framing.  Likewise, the ground underneath Orchard Park is rock-hard and would support a concrete structure.

 

Given the cost of steel, relative to concrete, the decision to use steel likely increased the cost of the project substantially.  So I am curious why the Bills went the steel framing route.  

 

It’s an excellent question. I believe you’re referring to the structural frame of the ‘building’. There are many reasons for choosing one over the other. It may be nothing more than the availability of local tradesmen and materials. Steel tends to be lighter and erection is much faster with the beams and columns being fabricated offsite. Steel also tends to be more conducive to larger open concourse areas. 
 

And believe it or not it’s sometimes just what the design team members (architects and engineers) are more comfortable with and accustomed to. 
 

Keep in mind that the new stadium indeed has plenty of concrete. The seating risers are all precast treads and risers. 

Edited April 2 by SoCal Deek

[Thrivefourfive]

The visiting team has no idea which stadium they’re playing in until JA17 delivers the news 

 

[Just Jack]

Items You Can Buy at Buffalo Bills Stadium Before Demolition

 

They really don't talk about anything other than the seats, which was to be expected...

 

Quote

Items that are valuable in the stadium, which seats are, we have to sell those. The Bills may be in charge of it through a third party, but then the proceeds will come back to the county so we are expecting the seats will probably be sold and people will have an opportunity to purchase those.

 

 

[That's No Moon]

On 4/1/2025 at 6:07 PM, Mike in Horseheads said:

Fair enough just throwing it out there

Another issue with the current stadium is there is only one tunnel which makes trucks have to turn around which is an obvious PIA for set up and breakdown. Could they address that? Sure...but there will also be a brand new bldg across the street that has that problem fixed already.

7 minutes ago, Just Jack said:

Items You Can Buy at Buffalo Bills Stadium Before Demolition

 

They really don't talk about anything other than the seats, which was to be expected...

 

 

 

I want one of the "sinks" and a trough.

[Fleezoid]

Is the scoreboard for sale? I think it would look great in my back yard. 

[davefan66]

Drove by for the first time since the end of last season.

 

Wow. A lot of work done. Place is massive!  Didn’t realize how close it is to Abbott road.

 

Always loved The Ralph, but it looks downright puny and like a relic in comparison.  Obviously, The Ralph being built in a hole versus the new stadium makes it look smaller. Certainly looking forward to the new stadium!

[K-9]

1 hour ago, That's No Moon said:

Another issue with the current stadium is there is only one tunnel which makes trucks have to turn around which is an obvious PIA for set up and breakdown. Could they address that? Sure...but there will also be a brand new bldg across the street that has that problem fixed already.

I want one of the "sinks" and a trough.

In another life back in the 70s I worked stage construction for numerous concerts at the stadium and semi trucks had no issue backing down the tunnel for us to unload the steel required to build the stage. No turning around was ever necessary. 

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

In another life back in the 70s I worked stage construction for numerous concerts at the stadium and semi trucks had no issue backing down the tunnel for us to unload the steel required to build the stage. No turning around was ever necessary. 

 

I'm sure it wasn't a problem. But the old stadium has only one way or out of field level, making it hard for big shows that "hopscotch" two stages to set up and tear down quickly.

[WotAGuy]

1 hour ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

I'm sure it wasn't a problem. But the old stadium has only one way or out of field level, making it hard for big shows that "hopscotch" two stages to set up and tear down quickly.

Honestly, the only acts big enough to do stadium shows are generally not coming to a small market like Buffalo.  

[scuba guy]

On 4/1/2025 at 6:32 PM, enoff said:

I’m curious about something the people out there might know more about than me. In looking at the Titans' New stadium, it appears that the Titans have decided to use concrete-based framing for their new structure. This is fundamentally different from the Bills' use of steel-based framing.

 

I appreciate the fact that both structures will ultimately use a great deal of steel and concrete, but if you look at the pictures of the Titans' new stadium, you will see that it looks nothing like the construction of the Bills' new stadium. While the Titan Stadium has a roof, I don’t believe that is the reason why the Titans used concrete-based framing.

 

From the little I do know about this type of thing, I know the use of steel construction tends to be quicker and does not require as strong of foundation as concrete-based buildings.  I know the Bills had plenty of lead time to build the stadium so timing was not critical in the selection of steel-based framing.  Likewise, the ground underneath Orchard Park is rock-hard and would support a concrete structure.

 

Given the cost of steel, relative to concrete, the decision to use steel likely increased the cost of the project substantially.  So I am curious why the Bills went the steel framing route.  

 

Easy answer for you.

Spencrete is the concrete system the titans are using.  The problem with this system lies in the fact that the system is pores.  Basically it will absorb water into it.  When the water gets inside the system components it will free,e then break off.  See Cincinnati stadium.  The component system should be covered so it does not allow that to happen.

 

 

[Chicharito]

5 hours ago, davefan66 said:

Drove by for the first time since the end of last season.

 

Wow. A lot of work done. Place is massive!  Didn’t realize how close it is to Abbott road.

 

Always loved The Ralph, but it looks downright puny and like a relic in comparison.  Obviously, The Ralph being built in a hole versus the new stadium makes it look smaller. Certainly looking forward to the new stadium!

The Ralph’s field is 50 feet below ground and the new stadium field is 35 feet below. The other key component is the Ralph is sprawled out where the new is more less stacked rows. In the upper deck it’ll feel more like you are looking over the field instead of being laid back feeling. Denver stadium is built much like this . If you have ever been you can compare to that .