After many contentious debates and a seemingly decisive city council vote, the Philadelphia 76ers team has apparently walked away from a 1.3 billion dollar plan to build an arena in Center City Philadelphia.
The arena, originally set to be built at the intersection of 11th and 10th street, caused numerous protests by residents who feared the massive project would harm vulnerable and historic areas, such as the city’s Chinatown and the Gayborhood. It was approved by a majority vote from city council members on Dec. 19, but only mere weeks later officials confirmed to the Philadelphia Inquirer that the plans were ditched. Now the 76ers are set to demolish the Wells Fargo center in South Philadelphia, and re-build a new arena with fellow Philly-based team the Flyers.
No official press statement has been released by city council members or Mayor Cherelle Parker. However, Philadelphia’s Local 98 chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), a union that previously offered mass support for the arena, issued a statement Sunday afternoon.
“IBEW Local 98 and our partners in the Philadelphia Building Trades have worked diligently with the 76ers throughout this protracted process. This new agreement between the 76ers and Comcast is a significant win for the 76ers, Comcast, our members and the entire City of Philadelphia,” it stated.
Non-profit organizations like the Save Chinatown Philly Coalition, which had organized multiple protests to fight against the arena, took to instagram on Sunday to voice support for the new plans.
Others were less happy. City Council member at-large Jim Harrity reportedly told NBC that he felt “bamboozled” by the 76ers and their changing plans.
