August 2012 - Empire State Development - New York State

FOR CONSIDERATION
August 16, 2012
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
REQUEST FOR:
The Directors
Kenneth Adams
Procurement of Legal Services
Authorization to Enter into a Contract with Foley & Lardner LLP
I. Contract Summary
Contractor:
Scope of Services:
Contract Term:
Foley & Lardner LLP (the “Firm”)
Advice and counsel in connection with negotiations concerning the Ralph
Wilson Jr. Stadium f/k/a Rich Stadium
One year
Contract Amount: Not to exceed $50,000
Funding Source:
Corporate funds or other source to be determined
II.
Background
In December of 1998, New York State Urban Development Corporation, now doing business as
Empire State Development (“ESD”), through its subsidiary the Erie County Stadium Corporation
(“Stadium Corp”), together with the County of Erie (“County”) and the Buffalo Bills, Inc. (the
“Bills”) agreed to a plan for the renovation of Ralph Wilson Jr. Stadium, f/k/a Rich Stadium (the
“Stadium”) and for a new 15-year lease. Under the agreements, the County leases the Stadium
to Stadium Corp, which in turn subleases it to the Bills. The current lease is set to expire on July
31, 2013. Discussions have begun regarding a lease extension.
Because of the complexity of the transaction and the specialized nature of the negotiations, the
advice and assistance of outside counsel is required. ESD is assembling a legal team to provide
these services. In consultation with the Office of the Governor, ESD staff propose that ESD
enter into a contract with Foley & Lardner LLP to form part of the team to provide the required
services.
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