Architect of Bills new $2.2 billion stadium makes shock admission after fan uproar over obstructed views
It was all by design, Bills Mafia.After fans were quick to slam the franchise for blocked views and sightlines during a training camp practice inside the new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium on Saturday, the project’s architect told Buffalo News that was not a design flaw nor an oversight.
The stadium was built by architectural design firm Populous, which sought out, alongside the Bills, to build a more vertical stadium with stacked tiers in a seating bowl to enable fans to be as close to the action as possible.It’s also said to make for a louder atmosphere.With that came sightline sacrifices, including staircases in front of the seats in the 300 and 400 levels.“You will find some level of obstruction in every stadium in the world,” Jonathan Mallie, global director and managing director of Populous’ Americas practice, told the outlet.“The goal was to bring everybody closer to the field and create an upper deck with an incredible proximity and presence within the bowl to help create a next level experience for Bills Mafia,” he added.The Bills eventually spoke out to their fans, saying they were addressing “internal and external feedback” and would “refine” any details ahead of the home opener on Thursday, Sept.
17.Pete Guelli, president of business operations of the Bills, added to Buffalo News that fans were made known of any obstructions before they bought their seats.Additionally, fans who visited the New Stadium Experience Center should have been able to see the view of their seats virtually before purchasing.He added fans were encourged to pay a visit before purchasing a personal seat license.
The team only “heard from less than 1%” of season ticket holders about sightlines.“Anything else for sale that has a sightline-related issue, we thought was clearly indicated through the virtual experience and was very reflective of where people ended up,” Guelli said.“However, if anyone felt differently, we’re having those conversations,...