Erie County on Friday has “signed paperwork transferring ownership” of the new Highmark Stadium to New York state, marking the “end of a long era of local investment and ownership,” according to Sandra Tan of the BUFFALO NEWS. The state is “technically paying $1 for the Bills stadium complex,” though its actual contribution is the $600M it agreed to pay toward new stadium construction as part of a three-way lease agreement with the county and the Bills. Until now, the county has “held liability for any accidents, injuries or other mishaps occurring on the stadium property” That liability now “transfers to the state.” The exception to this is “any claim stemming from allegations of misconduct by Erie County Sheriff’s Office deputies handling security at stadium games and other events.” The county’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Sheriff’s Office and Department of Public Works will “continue to play a role in stadium security, traffic and certain repair work.” Erie County will “collect a ticket surcharge from spectators,” which will be “turned over to the Bills,” as agreed to as part of the new stadium deal (BUFFALO NEWS, 8/3).
