Image: News_PhillyCTUpdate_1: No arena in the heart of our city rally on Sept. 7 by Joe Piette via flickr
On Sept. 18, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced to her social media platforms that she had reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers to keep their arena home in Philadelphia. Now, many are questioning what that means for the homes in Chinatown.
Philadelphia Chinatown’s nonprofit organization, Asian Americans United (AAU), posted a statement to their Instagram account as a result of Mayor Parker’s video.
“For two years, thousands of Philadelphians have made it clear that we want NO ARENA IN CHINATOWN. 69% of voters oppose the arena,” AAU stated. “This predatory development project would displace immigrants from their homes and small businesses from their customer base… Philadelphia can’t waste precious resources on a billionaire’s playground when our schools don’t even have playgrounds, or A/C, or libraries. Philadelphia deserves better than this!”
During a presentation on Sept. 25, Mayor Parker announced that the 76ers will be financing a $1.3 billion project to create the arena. She noted that there are no city funds involved. She went on to further state that the arena will not be placed in Chinatown, rather Center City, and they will not be destroying any historic buildings. This statement followed the circulation of rumors that the 76ers may move their arena to New Jersey, as they were in conversation with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stated by NBC 10. The new arena is still proposed to be built on East Market Street, located a few blocks from Chinatown, stated by The City of Philadelphia.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, this proposed deal includes an economic opportunity plan that is supposed to protect the workforce during the construction process of the arena. She proposed a $50 million community benefits agreement that is to compensate for the effects of the arena in affected neighborhoods.
She released the drafts of nine bills and resolutions that require authorization for this project to succeed. The drafts detail measures that would give the city the ability to acquire the arena property and alternate the zoning rules that are currently placed. It also removes an existing Tax Increment Financing arrangement for the site. Another bill will approve a large outdoor signage advertising the 76ers on East Market Street, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Even with Mayor Parker’s push for the arena, approvals are still required for the build. As stated by Philly Voice, at least nine of 17 council members have to approve the bills proposed in order for the construction to be properly authorized. Many council members have decided not to comment on their stance at this time, but a few have made public statements.
When The Quad spoke to Mohan Seshadri, Executive Director at Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, for a previous article, he discussed how members of the Working Families Party objected to the arena build. The Working Families Party includes Council Members Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rouke.
The only other member of the council who publicly stated their opposition to the arena build is 5th District Council Member Jeffrey Young Jr. Council Member Jim Harrity is currently the only member to state that he favors building the arena in Center City. The decision from the council will most likely take place between the Nov. 5 presidential election and Dec. 5.
The Chinatown community and residents haven’t been the only public voices against the build. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, internet service provider Comcast Spectator has opposed the project due to the possibility of losing money from it. The Washington Square West Civic Association has also announced their opposition to the project, which indicates that every neighborhood group that boards the project is against it. WHYY reported that 77% out of 412 residents participating in a single-question survey were against the new arena being built in Center City. The conversation on the new 76ers arena will continue until votes have been casted by the council members.
“I am Cherelle L. Parker. I am the 100th mayor of the city of Philadelphia. I am proud and take full responsibility for what is included in this agreement,” stated by Mayor Parker and reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Brianna Chau is a fourth-year Political Science and Philosophy major.