Following two postponements, a plan by the Philadelphia 76ers to build an arena bordering the city’s historic Chinatown district has advanced within the city council by a vote of 12-4.
A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) has been agreed on, which states that the sports organization must pay $60 million in community reparations to offset any possible disruption or damage caused by the project. It is a significantly lower amount than the original $100 million demanded by city council members, and many worry it will not be enough to protect local residents.
Separately, Mayor Cherelle Parker has promised an additional $20 million for affordable housing within the Chinatown district, though she has not clarified where this money will specifically come from.
The $1.3 billion dollar arena was first proposed nearly two years ago, and has been shrouded in controversy ever since. It is set to be built within the Market East district, in the place of an out-of-operation Greyhound bus station and overtop a portion of the Fashion District Philadelphia mall. The arena has primarily drawn criticism from longtime residents of Philadelphia’s Chinatown, a neighborhood which directly borders its intended perimeters.
And while supporters say that the project will bring economic opportunities to a struggling city, others argue it will destroy vulnerable businesses and harm a renowned, though at risk, neighborhood.
In a press statement, city council members Jamie Gauthier of the 3rd District and Rue Landau (At-Large) criticized the agreement.
“It is deplorable to learn the 76ers and their billionaire owners think our communities are worth only $60 million over 30 years. They recently gave a single athlete $193 million over 3 years,” they stated.
“The final deal does not do enough to offset the harm the arena will inflict on Chinatown, Washington Square West, the Gayborhood, and communities across our city.”
Since the arena has been proposed, activists have taken to the streets of Philadelphia to protest, highlighting the significant community pushback faced by the project.
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC), a local non-profit, has warned of the upending impacts the arena may have: they claim that “the deterioration of Chinatown culture, parking and traffic congestion, as well as increasing rent and displacement” are just some of the problems which could arise.
But some believe the arena may also bring forth rejuvenation to a city long-struggling with economic decline.
The 76ers have branded the arena as a “slam dunk for Philly’s economy,” claiming that it will bring in over 12,200 jobs and increase foot traffic to surrounding businesses.
City council president Kenyatta Johnson, who voted to advance the arena, said that he believed it would offer a much-need economic boom.
“We’re the largest poor city in America, and this is an opportunity for us to build generational wealth, but also an opportunity to revitalize Center City,” Johnson told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday.
Mayor Cherelle Parker has also embraced the project. In a press release issued Wednesday, she declared the recent vote a “monumental action.”
The final vote of approval for the arena is set to take place on December 19, 2024.
