Demolition Plans Unveiled for Highmark Stadium as Buffalo Bills Transition to New Home

As the Buffalo Bills gear up to move into their new $2.1 billion stadium in 2026, plans for the current Highmark Stadium have been set in motion. ARC Building Partners, a firm with a longstanding relationship with the team, has been appointed to oversee the decommissioning and demolition of the existing facility. ([wkbw.com](https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/arc-building-partners-to-lead-demolition-of-current-highmark-stadium?utm_source=openai))

 

Frank Ciminelli, president of ARC Building Partners, acknowledged the emotional weight of this project, stating, "It's gonna leave a little bit of a scar. We all emotionally will have to get over it. It's kind of the physical representation of what we're all going through." ([wkbw.com](https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/arc-building-partners-to-lead-demolition-of-current-highmark-stadium?utm_source=openai))

 

The demolition process is slated to commence in March 2027, following the Bills' final season at the current stadium. The project involves more than just dismantling the main structure; it includes addressing the infrastructure that supports surrounding facilities. Ciminelli highlighted the complexity, noting, "There's a big hole in the ground that needs to be filled up. How to tear it down safely. All of the satellite buildings around it rely on the stadium as its infrastructure." ([wkbw.com](https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/arc-building-partners-to-lead-demolition-of-current-highmark-stadium?utm_source=openai))

 

In preparation for the demolition, Erie County, which owns the stadium, is developing a plan to sell memorabilia, including seats, to fans and collectors. County Executive Mark Poloncarz mentioned that while valuable items like seats will be available for purchase, other components, such as the long steel benches, may not be sold. ([audacy.com](https://www.audacy.com/wben/news/bills/plans-for-highmark-stadium-once-the-new-stadium-is-completed?utm_source=openai))

 

The physical demolition is expected to begin in the summer of 2027, with completion targeted for the second quarter of 2027. The entire process, including preparation work, will take approximately one year to complete. ([wkbw.com](https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/arc-building-partners-to-lead-demolition-of-current-highmark-stadium?utm_source=openai))

 

As for the future of the site, plans remain under discussion. Orchard Park officials are considering rezoning the area to encourage development, potentially transforming it into a hub for hotels, restaurants, and retail spaces. Town Supervisor Gene Majchrzak envisions the area becoming a destination, stating, "Where the current stadium is, to have your hotels, eateries, shops, and maybe a family-friendly portion of that, where you have a small carnival-type setting." ([wkbw.com](https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/southtowns/hotels-eateries-shops-orchard-park-proposes-zoning-changes-around-new-buffalo-bills-stadium?utm_source=openai))

 

The transition from the old Highmark Stadium to the new facility marks a significant chapter in Buffalo's history, blending nostalgia with anticipation for the future.