Taxpayers Only Benefit From Investment in New Bills Stadium at South Park Site

I am a taxpayer in New York State. My tax dollars will be used to help fund the new Buffalo Bills stadium. I am writing you to express my preference for the stadium to be built in the City of Buffalo at the South Park site because of the countless socioeconomic benefits that are unique to building in the City of Buffalo. On December 23rd, 2021, the Pegulas' own studies done by CAAICON and Populous were released to the public. Although the Pegulas have proposed that the new stadium be built in Orchard Park, these internal studies actually supported the opinion and supporting arguments that Bills in Buffalo and many other community members and organizations have been making for months: building in the City of Buffalo is the best option. In addition to being ranked as the best overall site, the Pegulas' study also rated the South Park site as being superior to Orchard Park in terms of future land use, site characteristics, economic market trends, transit system, district identity, walkability, ride sharing, long-term transportation plans and the potential to create a mixed-use district.  Furthermore, despite being cited as a reason not to build in the city, the Pegulas' own study actually rated the South Park site as being BETTER than Orchard Park for TAILGATING. Last, but certainly not least, the Pegulas' study gave the South Park site the highest possible score of 9 for REVENUE GENERATION, while Orchard Park got the lowest possible score of 3.  In the Pegulas' study, the South Park Site was estimated to cost $400 million more and take two years longer to complete. The additional cost and time are negligible considering the stark difference in long-term return on investment between the two sites. Even if taxpayers had to pay 100% of the total cost for it to go in the city, it would still be a better deal and investment for our community than paying a single dime for another isolated stadium in a wealthy suburb that is only reachable by car, and essentially benefits no one that lives here besides the Pegulas.  We are at a watershed moment. The zeitgeist in Western New York is ripe with progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Buffalo has the third highest poverty rate in the entire country, and in most areas of the city one out of every three households does not have a vehicle. A stadium project in the City of Buffalo coupled to public transportation expansion has a chance to serve as a catalyst for equitable socioeconomic progress for ALL citizens of WNY for generations to come. Let’s not look back in 30 years and wonder what could have been like we do now with UB’s North Campus.  I ask that you do everything in your power in your negotiations with Pegula Sports Entertainment (PSE) to ensure that the stadium is built in the City of Buffalo- even if it means significantly more taxpayer money is contributed- because it is the only choice that benefits the taxpayers that are paying for it, both now and for generations to come.

▶ Created on January 9, 2022 by Bills in Buffalo