Highmark Stadium, soon to be the new home of the Buffalo Bills, has unexpectedly found itself in the spotlight due to an unfortunate act of vandalism. Over the weekend, graffiti featuring hateful and lewd messages was discovered across various sections of the construction site in Orchard Park.
This incident has temporarily halted all work until Friday as a thorough investigation gets underway. Gilbane Turner, the construction firm in charge, is offering a $100,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
"We appreciate the strong support we have received from our trade contractors, unions, local officials, law enforcement, and the workers on site as we work to identify those responsible for this unacceptable act. The response reinforces what we know to be true: The overwhelming majority of people on this project are committed to maintaining a welcoming and professional work environment," stated Gilbane Turner.
With a hefty price tag of $2.1 billion, the construction of the Bills' new stadium is a significant investment, and the graffiti has caused damages exceeding $150,000. Some investigators suggest it might be an inside job, given that the graffiti appeared in areas requiring access cards.
Despite this setback, the timeline for the stadium's completion remains unchanged. "This stadium will be delivered on schedule. Maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive jobsite is our highest priority," Gilbane Turner assured.
As the Bills anticipate moving into their new arena, there's hope that this fresh start will fuel their performance. After reaching the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, their journey was cut short by a tough overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round. With the new stadium on the horizon, the team is poised to bounce back stronger than ever.