Photos: Highmark Stadium's growing list of issues
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.
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.
Steel splint
A steel splint was installed to one of the rakers, or vertical concrete supports, holding up the upper deck.
Light pole problems
Vibration dampening devices installed on the light poles at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park no longer function properly.
Cantilever
In the cantilevered section of the 300 level that hangs over the 200 level, post tension supports were added to add structural integrity.
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.
Shifting concrete
A joint reveals shifting between two sections of the outer concrete wall atop the 300 level at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Recurring issues
The different shades of concrete reveal that several steps in the 300 level were replaced at various times at Highmark Stadium.
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.
Last row in the stadium
The ADA accessible seats on the top row of the 300 level at Highmark Stadium are behind the back row of seats.
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.
Utility limitations
Because access to the field is limited to a tunnel at one end, all of the utilities for the inner bowl of the stadium must run through the tunnel to the field and around the ring wall.
Where the water goes
Evidence of water damage remains on ceiling tiles in the M&T Club at Highmark Stadium.
Even in the slightest rain
A cone marks a puddle where water from a light rain is dripping into the tunnel to the field 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.
Keeping up with league rules
Due to evolving security measures, bike racks are placed to create a buffer between the fence surrounding Highmark Stadium.
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 happens during official NFL owners meetings or informal chats could have a dramatic impact on both the future of a stadium and the Bills.
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.