Editing Sahlen Field (section)

===Planning and construction, 1978–1987===
[[File:DOWNTOWN BUFFALO LOOKING NORTH - NARA - 549477 (restored).tif|thumb|left|An aerial view of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] when the blocks that became the venue's land were largely [[parking lots]], July 1973]]

Mayor [[James D. Griffin]] and an investment group purchased the [[Jersey City A's]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] class [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]] for $55,000 in 1978, and the team began play as the [[Buffalo Bisons]] at [[War Memorial Stadium (Buffalo, New York)|War Memorial Stadium]] in 1979.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moritz |first1=Amy |title=Buffalo's downtown ballpark: The house that Jimmy built |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/buffalos-downtown-ballpark-the-house-that-jimmy-built/article_d0fa6e07-40ef-58ae-9a54-19a1a5db0a2c.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> This new franchise assumed the history of prior Buffalo Bisons teams that had played in the city from 1877 to 1970. [[Rich Products]] heir [[Robert E. Rich Jr.]] purchased the Bisons for $100,000 in 1983, and upgraded the team to the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] class [[American Association (1902–1997)|American Association]] in 1985 after buying out the [[Wichita Aeros]] for $1 million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-06-sp-1717-story.html |title=A Major League Effort for Buffalo |date=September 6, 1988 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/451794970/|title=The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 8, 1984 · 72|website=Newspapers.com|date=September 8, 1984 }}</ref> The Bisons began drawing record crowds with promotional tie-ins, most notably annual post-game [[concerts]] by [[The Beach Boys]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Class | first=Induction | title=Robert E. Rich Jr. – Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame | website=Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame – Honoring men and women who have contributed to the welfare of amateur and professional sports in Greater Buffalo by performance, time, effort and/or financial support | date=August 3, 2012 | url=https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/robert-e-rich-jr/ | access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Geller | first=Kathryn | title=BEACH BOYS AND BISONS ARE A SUMMER TRADITION | website=Buffalo News | date=June 25, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/beach-boys-and-bisons-are-a-summer-tradition/article_765a362a-98e8-5a96-bee1-a61fcd7cd86d.html | access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref>

Strong political support grew to replace the aging War Memorial Stadium with what was originally known as '''Downtown Buffalo Sports Complex'''.<ref>{{cite news | title=Hoyt Organizes Stadium Support | newspaper=Island Dispatch |location=Grand Island, N.Y. | via=NYS Historic Newspapers | date=September 6, 1985 | page=21 | issn=0892-2497 | url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn87000201/1985-09-06/ed-1/seq-21/ | access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> The City of Buffalo originally hired HOK Sport to design a $90 million domed stadium with a capacity of 40,000 on 13 acres of land, but the project was scaled back after [[New York State]] only approved $22.5 million in funding instead of the $40 million requested.<ref name="Archives 1987">{{cite news | agency=[[United Press International]] | title=Buffalo Is Building a Baseball Park | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=May 31, 1987 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-31-sp-9459-story.html | access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Roth |first1=Stephen |title=By design, they push limits of creativity |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/1999/04/12/No-Topic-Name/By-Design-They-Push-Limits-Of-Creativity.aspx |website=sportsbusinessdaily.com |publisher=Sports Business Journal |date=April 12, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/08/nyregion/buffalo-s-efforts-for-domed-stadium-are-dealt-a-new-blow.html|title=Buffalo's Efforts for Domed Stadium Are Dealt a New Blow|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 8, 1984}}</ref> A separate athletic facility to service the City Campus of [[SUNY Erie|Erie Community College]] was part of the proposed complex, and was eventually built several years later as the [[Burt Flickinger Center]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jamnes A. | last=Welch | title=Still In Limbo! City's Athletic Facility | newspaper=SUNY Erie Community College Student Voice | location=Buffalo, N.Y. | via=NYS Historic Newspapers | date=November 14, 1989 | page=6 | issn= | url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/np00240001/1989-11-14/ed-1/seq-6/| access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref>

St. John's [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] Church originally occupied what would become the venue's land at the corner of Washington Street and Swan Street, and Randall's Boarding House originally occupied the adjacent lot on Swan Street. [[Mark Twain]] famously was a resident of the [[boarding house]] while editor of the ''[[Buffalo Courier-Express|Buffalo Express]]''.<ref>{{cite web | title=NEW STUDY INDICATES TWAIN LIVED ON THE LINE IN PILOT FIELD | website=Buffalo News | date=July 22, 1989 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/new-study-indicates-twain-lived-on-the-line-in-pilot-field/article_a2c23518-2be0-5079-8cd9-a1d73dc1ab91.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=THE CITY TWAIN KNEW FUND-RAISER CELEBRATES AUTHOR'S LIFE | website=Buffalo News | date=August 14, 2002 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/the-city-twain-knew-fund-raiser-celebrates-authors-life/article_e7d59238-a36e-5254-abcc-f749fca00582.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Constructed between 1846 and 1848, the church remained in use until 1893 and was demolished in 1906.<ref name="heritagepress">{{cite web|title=Ellsworth Statler in Buffalo|url=http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2007/statler/hotel/statler_hotel.htm|publisher=Western New York Heritage Press, Inc.|year=2007|access-date=February 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018041624/http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2007/statler/hotel/statler_hotel.htm|archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Cichon | first=Steve | title=From 1880 to Today: View from St. Paul's Cathedral, 1870 | website=Buffalo News | date=September 12, 2018 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/history/from-1880-to-today-view-from-st-paul-s-cathedral-1870/article_95d1b11f-35cd-5f8a-b22b-8aa22c7de74a.html | access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref>
The land then became the site of [[Ellsworth Statler]]'s first hotel, [[Statler Hotels|Hotel Statler]], in 1907.<ref name="heritagepress" /> It was later renamed Hotel Buffalo after Statler built a new hotel on [[Niagara Square]] in 1923 and sold his former location. Hotel Buffalo was demolished in 1968, and the land became a [[parking lot]]. The City of Buffalo would later acquire the land through [[eminent domain]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2016/09/12/eminent-domain-played-role-in-buffalo-stadium.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624115309/http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2016/09/12/eminent-domain-played-role-in-buffalo-stadium.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2017|title=Eminent domain played a roll in the development of two Buffalo sporting facilities - Buffalo Business First|website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref>

HOK Sport (now known as [[Populous (company)|Populous]]) designed the downtown venue as the first [[Baseball park#Retro-classic ballparks|retro-classic ballpark]] in the world.<ref name="RKingston">{{cite news |title=Buffalo Among the "Top Ten Places for a Baseball Pilgrimage"|first=Rachel|last=Kingston|url=http://www.wben.com/Buffalo-Among-the--Top-Ten-Places-for-a-Baseball-P/6724755|work=[[WBEN (AM)|WBEN]]|location=Buffalo|date=April 4, 2010|access-date=April 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408235729/http://www.wben.com/Buffalo-Among-the--Top-Ten-Places-for-a-Baseball-P/6724755|archive-date=April 8, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The open-air venue was designed to incorporate architecture from the neighboring [[Joseph Ellicott Historic District]], most notably the [[Ellicott Square Building]] and [[Old Post Office (Buffalo, New York)|Old Post Office]].<ref>{{cite web | title=PILOT FIELD | website=Buffalo News | date=February 19, 1995 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-field/article_143f17ec-eaf4-544e-ac68-1a0912b470d2.html | access-date=June 4, 2022}}</ref> The venue's exterior would be constructed from [[precast concrete]], featuring arched [[window]] openings at the [[mezzanine]] level, [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] joints, and inset [[marble]] panels.<ref>{{cite web | last=Garrity | first=John | title=THE NEWEST LOOK IS OLD | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=October 12, 1987 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1987/10/12/the-newest-look-is-old-buffalos-new-ballpark-is-so-modern-its-traditional | access-date=April 8, 2022}}</ref> Located close to [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]] and along the newly built [[Buffalo Metro Rail]], the venue would be an attractive and accessible destination for suburban residents.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Emily |title=Want More Housing? Ending Single-Family Zoning Won't Do It. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-29/to-add-housing-zoning-code-reform-is-just-a-start |website=bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |date=July 29, 2020}}</ref> The same design firm would later bring this concept to Major League Baseball with [[Oriole Park at Camden Yards]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirst |first1=Sean |title=Sean Kirst: Buffalo's Pilot Field, an urban ballpark vision that swept nation |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/sean-kirst-buffalos-pilot-field-an-urban-ballpark-vision-that-swept-nation/article_4edd41bb-12c2-5691-8a16-c2ad92bdb93d.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=April 12, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Pilot Field under construction.jpg|thumb|left|A view of the venue's construction from Exchange Street parking ramp, December 1987]]

The [[baseball field]] itself would feature a [[Kentucky Bluegrass]] playing surface and have dimensions that were designed to mirror those of [[Glossary of baseball (P)#pitcher's park|pitcher-friendly]] [[Kauffman Stadium|Royals Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=Buffalo's stadium set baseball standard | website=Buffalo News | date=July 9, 2012| url=https://buffalonews.com/news/buffalos-stadium-set-baseball-standard/article_839a90bb-cacf-5abb-aab0-0ed5aefc84a6.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> Buffalo Bisons management insisted the field have deep fences after War Memorial Stadium acquired a poor reputation for allowing easy [[home runs]].<ref>{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=HOW THE BISONS GOT THEIR GROOVE BACK | website=Buffalo News | date=April 5, 1999 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/how-the-bisons-got-their-groove-back/article_6e60cd3e-1d40-5d52-8993-8d598335411b.html | access-date=June 9, 2022}}</ref> [[Roger Bossard]], head [[groundskeeper]] of [[Comiskey Park]], served as consultant for the project.<ref name="SportsTurf 1988">{{cite web | last= | first= | title=Attendance Doubles In New Buffalo Stadium | website=SportsTurf Magazine | date=July 27, 1988| url=https://sturf.lib.msu.edu/article/1988jul27.pdf | access-date=June 4, 2022}}</ref>

The venue broke ground in July 1986, with [[structural engineering]] handled by Geiger Associates, and Cowper Construction Management serving as [[general contractor]].<ref>{{cite web | title=From the archives: Pilot Field | website=Buffalo News | date=March 2, 2019 | url=https://buffalonews.com/multimedia/from-the-archives-pilot-field/collection_b178d567-3921-5bfb-8377-ae09631c5056.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Architectural Record">{{cite web | title=Field of dreams, November 1989 | website=Architectural Record | url=https://www.architecturalrecord.com/ext/resources/archives/backissues/1989-11.pdf?625899600 | access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref> It was originally built with a [[seating capacity]] of 19,500, which at the time made it the third-largest stadium in [[Minor League Baseball]].<ref name="RKingston" />{{sfn|Buffalo Bisons Media Guide|2019|p=133}} This included a [[club seating|club level]] with seating for 3,500 and 38 [[luxury suites]], [[general admission]] [[bleacher]] seating for 1,130 in [[right field]], and a 250-seat restaurant with city and field views on the [[mezzanine]] level.<ref name="SportsTurf 1988" /><ref name="Architectural Record" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Howard |author-link = Howard Kurtz | title=AMERICAN JOURNAL |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/09/06/american-journal/c12f0185-51a9-4725-82c2-44736aa221fd/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 6, 1989}}</ref> [[Rich Products]] already owned and operated local restaurants under their B.R. Guest brand, and they assumed operation of the venue's restaurant and [[concession stand|concessions]].<ref>{{cite web | last1=Baldwin | first1=Richard E. | last2=Lowery | first2=Arch | last3=Herbeck | first3=Dan | title=PILOT FIELD FOOD OPERATORS LAUNCH DINING-SPORTS COMPLEX | website=Buffalo News | date=November 15, 1994 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/pilot-field-food-operators-launch-dining-sports-complex/article_4ec4b83e-d194-50d6-a4fc-a38fe09b29b5.html | access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref>

The $42.4 million venue was mainly paid for with public funding. $22.5 million came from New York State, $12.9 million came from the City of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], $4.2 million came from Erie County, and $2.8 million came from the Buffalo Bisons.<ref name="jewel">{{cite news |last1=Rodgers |first1=Kim |title=Oh, how Buffalo loves its jewel: City trying in earnest to get big-league club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20002834/the-indianapolis-news/ |work=The Indianapolis News |date=June 11, 1988 | page= B-2 | via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The New York State funding was contingent on the Bisons signing a 20-year lease with the City of Buffalo for use of the venue, which they did just prior to [[groundbreaking]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Fairbanks | first=Phil | title=BISONS PLAYING HARDBALL BALLPARK LEASE COSTS TAXPAYERS AS TEAM PROSPERS | website=Buffalo News | date=April 4, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-playing-hardball-ballpark-lease-costs-taxpayers-as-team-prospers/article_29cbf8ce-ff3d-52e1-8318-34648178d87e.html | access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The City of Buffalo and Erie County paid an additional $14 million for the construction of [[parking garages]] to service the venue and other downtown businesses.<ref name="jewel" />

A planned second phase of construction was a seating expansion contingent on Buffalo acquiring a [[Major League Baseball]] franchise. The original design by HOK Sport called for a third deck to be added in place of the roof, expanding the venue's capacity from 19,500 to 40,000. In May 1987, it was estimated this expansion could be completed within one offseason at a cost of $15 million.<ref name="Archives 1987" />