As negotiations get underway between the Buffalo Bills and government leaders about a new stadium for the pro football team, a government watchdog group is calling on all sides to commit to transparency during the process.
Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula are seeking a new stadium for the Bills, and reportedly some renovations at KeyBank Center, where their Buffalo Sabres franchise hosts its National Hockey League games. The price has been reported at nearly one and a half billion dollars, of which most funding would be public sources.
Talks between the Bills, Erie County and New York State were said to be in an early stage.
“And at some point, there will be an item presented to the Erie County Legislature and the New York State Legislature for approval. Before any of that occurs, it's important that the public be informed,” said Paul Wolf, president of the New York Coalition for Open Government. “We're talking about a substantial amount of tax dollars that are being sought.”
The Coalition has released an open letter to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, urging him and all others involved in negotiations to be transparent throughout the process.
As the Coalition sees it, that transparency would start by making available to the public the study conducted by CAA Icon, the firm which evaluated the cost to build a new football stadium.
It would also include thorough public input. That, Wolf says, didn’t happen during the Bills stadium lease negotiations in 2013.
While the Erie County Legislature holds public hearings, Wolf notes they are usually held at times when it’s inconvenient for most of the public to appear and speak. He and the Coalition are calling for numerous opportunities for the public to comment.
“As we pointed out in the letter, the Jacksonville Jaguars are currently discussing a new stadium, and they've already scheduled 14 public meetings to hear from the public and to present information to the public,” he said. “There's no reason why that can’t occur here in Erie County as well.”
The Coalition, in its letter, cites robust and extensive public input for two stadium projects in San Diego, where the National Football League’s Chargers and Major League Baseball’s Padres both sought new facilities. After a process which included 50 public meetings, the Chargers ultimately relocated to Los Angeles. The Padres, on the other hand, got their new ballpark in 2004, following a process which involved the baseball club opening its books as part of a review process.
WBFO asked Wolf if the process in Western New York should include a referendum.
“I would personally be fine with a referendum. They have done that in other communities," he replied. “I think it's important for the public to have a voice on this issue.”
