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The 76ers received initial approval from a committee in Philadelphia City Council Thursday that advances the team’s controversial plan for a new downtown arena.
It’s a critical first step for the team that wants to build a new $1.55 billion venue in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood. The plan has been fought and protested at every step, and a city-sponsored study found the arena could displace residents, hurt local businesses, and gentrify the neighborhood. Mayor Cherelle Parker is in favor of the “76 Place” plan, and believes it could help the city land a WNBA franchise, and the Sixers say a move from South Philly to Chinatown would benefit the neighborhood. Ultimately only four City Council members voted against the plan, with 12 voting in favor.
Multiple bills related to 76 Place advanced, including ones aimed at curbing displacement and increasing economic opportunities in the neighborhood. The vote for final approval is scheduled for Dec. 19, the same day the council begins a winter recess.
The committee had previously postponed a hearing on the plan twice. Demonstrators both for and against the plan interrupted Wednesday’s hearing, and pushed it to Thursday.
The current plan says the team has to pay $60 million over the next 30 years in a Community Benefits Agreement. The team had originally proposed $50 million, while the city suggested $100 million. “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,” two councilmembers who voted against the plan said in a statement. About half of the funding would go to Chinatown, and the rest would be spread among city initiatives like education and public transportation.
“We appreciate City Council advancing these bills. This is an important next step in building 76 Place. We are reviewing the amendments that were added today to ensure they align with our understanding of our agreement with the City,” a Sixers spokesperson said in a statement.
Comcast Spectacor, which owns and operates the team’s current Wells Fargo Center in south Philadelphia, has said it is open to renewing a lease with the Sixers when the current deal expires in 2031.
