Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is gearing up to host a crucial town hall meeting on Wednesday night at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The primary agenda of this meeting is to delve into the proposed 76ers arena on East Market Street and to collect valuable public feedback as her administration carefully evaluates the project.
Scheduled from 6-8 p.m., this community meeting marks Parker’s debut in publicly discussing the $1.55 billion proposal, which has faced resistance from residents in neighboring areas like Chinatown and Washington Square West ever since the Sixers unveiled their plans two years back.
Nevertheless, ample details concerning the event’s format and the key speakers to be present have not been shared by the mayor’s office yet. On the other hand, the 76ers have chosen to remain tight-lipped about the town hall and are unlikely to present any formal address during the meeting.
Just over the weekend, groups that oppose the arena staged a rally outside City Hall and again gathered there last Thursday as City Council sessions resumed following a summer hiatus. The project requires the debate and approval of as many as 11 bills to push through. The 76ers are eyeing the onset of arena construction by 2026 and plan to replace a section of the Fashion District mall nestled between 10th and 11th streets. Alongside, a 395-unit residential tower is earmarked for the former Greyhound bus station location on Filbert Street.
The buzz around the arena proposal is at fever pitch right now, especially with the city releasing four impact studies scrutinizing the potential pros and cons of the project. Notably, one study hints that the arena could negatively impact up to half of Chinatown’s small businesses, while another underscores that Center City could manage traffic congestion from the arena if proper measures are taken to disperse parking and promote public transit usage. Another study projects that the city would garner $390 million in net new tax revenue from the arena, a figure significantly lower than the initial $1.5 billion estimate from the team.
In response to the lower revenue projection, the 76ers pushed back, claiming that the purported drop in figures represents a 30-year foresight of a $1 billion tax revenue accumulation for the city, should the amount be paid in a lump sum at present.
No Arena Wash Square West, one of the leading groups that oppose the project, has criticized the Parker administration for the last-minute publicity of the town hall. The group alleged that the rushed announcement could potentially hinder the community turnout for the crucial meeting.
The buzz around the arena proposal further intensified when the 76ers expressed intent in considering an alternate pitch from New Jersey to construct an arena on the Delaware River waterfront in Camden. New Jersey officials hinted at potential tax credits amounting to $800 million for the project, which could even include residential aspects and additional amenities. Initially adamant about not leaving Philadelphia, the 76ers’ stance shifted, as they now await Center City’s approval to ensure project completion by 2031 when their lease at the Wells Fargo Center expires.
Speaking on behalf of the mayor, Joe Grace mentioned Parker’s strong belief in keeping all Philadelphia sports teams – the Sixers, Flyers, Phillies, and Eagles – rooted in the city. Parker, who has been vocal about the job opportunities that the arena would create in Center City, emphasized that her decision on supporting the project would hinge on the overall welfare of the city, transcending the interests of a handful of neighborhoods.
Parker embarked on a proactive initiative by engaging in a private meeting with a group of Chinatown leaders right before the city rolled out its delayed impact studies last month. The meeting received favorable feedback from John Chin, the executive director of the nonprofit Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp., who appreciated Parker’s attentive listening and proactive approach during the session.
With a whirlwind of activity surrounding the much-discussed arena proposal, the impending outcome of Wednesday night’s town hall remains elusive. As the sun sets on the horizon, all eyes are set on the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s entrance at 13th and Arch streets, where individuals eager to participate in the town hall await an engaging and enlightening evening ahead.