LANCASTER, N.Y. -- The debate over a location for a Bills stadium is apparently nothing new. Recovered blueprints from the 1970's show that a dome stadium was proposed in Lancaster nearly 50 years ago.
Looking at 1970s blueprints for the proposed Dome Stadium in Lancaster brings back memories for Paul Welker.
"I had some mixed emotions because I thought it would be a great thing for Lancaster, you know, like put us on the map," said Welker of Lancaster.
That actually never happened. But close to 50 years later, the original blueprints were discovered in old Erie County Hall storage untouched for decades. Erie County Legislator Ted Morton delivered them to the Lancaster Historical Society Thursday for public display.
"All of the talk of the stadium took place in the late 60's, and of course just reading myself some of the articles at that time the divide that existed not only with Ralph Wilson but with residents to build this stadium here," said Morton.
The dome stadium was proposed for Pleasant View Drive, where an environmental consulting firm has stood since 1988.
"I know there were people who were really opposed to it they were going to lose their home if they lived on Pleasant View Drive. But then other people who lived on Pleasant View Drive said I'll build the biggest hot dog stand you ever saw and I'll be rich," said Theresa Wolfe, Lancaster Historical Society vice president.
The Lancaster stadium that never was, was intended to house the Bills and a baseball team. But not everyone was on the same page.
"Matter of fact it appears that it was the legislature at that time that wanted Lancaster and wanted a Dome stadium, not the owner of the Buffalo Bills," said Morton.
The long drawn out project ultimately ended with the Ralph Wilson Stadium being built in Orchard Park. But the blueprints for a Lancaster stadium make some wonder... what if?
"The only thing that I thought was maybe not so good was the congestion. But I still probably would've leaned more for having it here," said Welker.
The blueprints are being loaned to the Lancaster Historical Society, while work is underway to have them legally turned over.