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LaBella Associates has worked on plenty of big projects — but nothing as high profile as the Buffalo Bills' new stadium.
The architecture and engineering firm has been working behind the scenes on the project since late 2021, and this week announced its role as the lead civil engineering firm for the stadium.
"It's probably one of the most exciting projects; it kind of creates a buzz across the company, across all offices," LaBella President Jeff Roloson said. "Everyone has a sense of pride and excitement."
As the civil engineering firm, LaBella will work with lead architect firm Populous to design the grading, stormwater management and utility lines at the stadium site and obtain permits for the work.
"Civil engineering is really all the stuff nobody sees," Roloson said.
LaBella is headquartered in Rochester and has more than 1,600 employees in more than 30 office locations — including about 100 employees in its Buffalo office.
"That allows us to present a lot of capacity and horsepower at a local level," Roloson said.
A team of about 40 Buffalo and Rochester employees will work on the stadium project.
LaBella's role in the project was born out of its relationship with Populous, a firm headquartered in Kansas City that specializes in the design of athletic facilities.
LaBella and Populous are working together on a new athletic complex at the Rochester Institute of Technology, according to Roloson. That partnership, combined with LaBella's size and local presence, led to the choice of LaBella as lead civil engineer.
LaBella will work with several local engineering partners, according to the firm.
The firm assisted the Bills with its State Environmental Quality Review Act documentation as the team sought approval for the project.
LaBella will be responsible for stormwater management during construction, conducting regular inspections of the site.
"When you have any kind of rain or storm event with an inch or more of water, we need to be on site to make sure all the erosion protections are in place, and that there weren't any washouts," Roloson said.
Construction of the $1.54 billion New Highmark Stadium is underway. It is expected to wrap up in time for the 2026 football season.