OP wants development plan for Bills stadium area approved by end of July

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) – The area surrounding the new Bills stadium will be undergoing some significant changes, and we learned that there is now a tentative timeline to have the development project approved by the town of Orchard Park. 

Orchard Park Town Supervisor Gene Majchrzak said the goal is to have a development plan approved by the end of July, and that any concerns with the initial plan regarding rezoning or details from the project consultant will be addressed before officially approving the project. 

With sights now set on the end of next month to approve a stadium area comprehensive development plan, residents had the chance to ask questions, view updated development plans, and voice their concerns to leaders of the project, to give their input on what the future of their neighborhood will look like.

We’re told two main project ideas are in the works, including new restaurants, stores, housing, hotels, and more. Orchard Park officials also tell us there’s hopes of maybe even pedestrian bridges across Abbot Road and roads designated for only first responders on game days, in the years to come. 

“We’re all excited about the new stadium and the development that could happen around the stadium and the opportunity to create a new, distinct stadium district around there,” said Vice President and Director of Planning for LaBella, Ed Flynn. 

His vision includes “having mix of uses, having a walkable district, encouraging more living and working around the stadium so it’s kind of a neighborhood.”

Leaders from LaBella also noted that with 10,000 fewer seats in the new stadium, traffic congestion and demand for parking should ease.