OneBuffalo Billsstadium has officially gone dark while another is beginning to light up.
Power to Highmark Stadium was shut off Friday as demolition crews began dismantling the 53-year-old venue in Orchard Park. Across the street the Bills powered on the video boards at the new Highmark Stadium for the first time Wednesday.
The demolition team has already begun tearing into portions of the old stadium, with local Buffalotelevision footagethis week showing heavy equipment working near the West End Suites entrance while rows of seats have already been removed. Large dumpsters filled with steel beams and debris could also be seen outside the stadium.
The Billsposted a videoof offensive linemen Alec Anderson and Chase Lundt learning to use an excavator to assist with slicing into the bleachers.
The old building spans more than 900,000 square feet and rises about 140 feet above ground level.
The Bills confirmed demolition officially began after power to the building was cut off.
“Demolition is underway, and as part of the process, power was disconnected at the former stadium, as scheduled, on May 1,” the team said in a statement. "The project is slated for completion by March of 2027."
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The stadium hosted Bills games for 53 seasons after opening in 1973 as Rich Stadium. Its final Bills game was played Jan. 4 against the New York Jets.
Unlike some stadium demolitions around the country, the Bills are not planning an implosion of the structure. Instead, demolition will occur gradually through a mechanical teardown process using heavy equipment.
Breeze National is serving as the demolition contractor while Arc Building Partners is leading the project, accordingThe Buffalo News.
Before demolition began, the Bills partnered with CollectibleXchange to remove and sell pieces of stadium history including seats, signs, turf and goal posts to fans looking for memorabilia from the team’s longtime home.
Once demolition is completed, the former stadium footprint is expected to be filled to grade and used primarily for parking, though the Bills have also discussed the possibility of future development around the stadium complex.
Bills test video boards at new Highmark Stadium
The Bills posted drone footage andphotoson social media Wednesday showing the initial test of the 4k-quality displays at new Highmark Stadium.
The $2.1 billion stadium has a footprint of 1.35 million square feet and will feature a heated natural grass field and a steel canopy with a snow-melt system. The new venue is on track for completion in July.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:Highmark Stadium demolition begins after power shut off
