Buffalo Bills Stadium Construction: Key Milestones and Progress Revealed

The Buffalo Bills Stadium ProgressPhoto byBuffalo Bills/X

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The construction of the Buffalo Bills' new $1.7 billion stadium is making significant strides in Orchard Park, marking a pivotal moment not just for the team, but for the entire Western New York region. With completion still two years away, the focus is not only on the physical progress but also on ensuring the community reaps long-term benefits from this massive investment.

The stadium construction is progressing at a rapid pace, with various critical milestones already reached. Fireproofing, masonry, mechanical and electrical work, as well as framing, are all well underway. According to the Bills' Corporate and Stadium Communications office, the numbers behind the project are staggering:

• 313 miles of conduit are set to be installed.
• 710 workers were on-site just last week.
• 1,260 miles of wire and cable will be used in the stadium.
• 13,421 pieces of steel have already been installed, totaling 15,952 tons of steel so far.
• By the project’s end, 23,514 pieces of steel and 24,522 tons of steel will be used.

The next major milestone is the installation of the stadium’s steel canopy, set to begin later this month and expected to be completed by February 2025. The exterior work is anticipated to wrap up by March 2025.

Commitment to Community Benefits

While construction moves forward, the Bills are equally focused on ensuring the stadium investment positively impacts the Western New York community. The New Highmark Stadium Community Benefits Oversight Committee, which met earlier this week, is dedicated to ensuring the Bills fulfill their promise of giving back.

Under the stadium deal, the Bills are required to contribute $3 million annually to the community for the next 30 years. In 2023, the team exceeded that commitment, providing over $3.6 million to local organizations. However, the committee is calling for more transparency regarding how beneficiaries are chosen and a stronger voice in deciding where future investments are made.

“We want to help guide the process,” said Reverend Mark Blue, Chair of the Community Benefits Oversight Committee. “There are underserved areas in our community that need attention and support, and we want to make sure those opportunities are not missed.”

The Bills' Vice President of Stadium Relations, Penny Semaia, emphasized that this is just the beginning of a long-term commitment. “We’re talking about a 33-year, $140+ million investment into the community. It’s great to have feedback and insight now as we continue to refine the process.”

Inclusive Contracting and Local Involvement

Another important topic discussed at the committee’s meeting was ensuring that local businesses, particularly minority, women, and veteran-owned contractors, benefit from the construction project. Reverend Blue stressed the importance of fair opportunities for smaller contractors to participate in the work, beyond just the prime contractors.

“The primes shouldn’t be the only ones making millions from this project,” Blue stated. “Smaller subcontractors, including minority and veteran-owned businesses, deserve a share of the work, not just the crumbs.”

While the main contracts for the next phase of stadium construction have been awarded, there is still room for additional subcontractors to get involved. The committee hopes to see more local participation as the project moves forward, ensuring that Western New York workers and businesses benefit directly from the stadium’s construction.

The New Highmark Stadium Community Benefits Oversight Committee meets monthly, with public meetings that encourage community input. As the stadium construction progresses, both the physical structure and the ongoing commitment to community investment remain priorities, signaling a future where the Bills’ home field becomes a source of pride and benefit for all of Western New York.

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