PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers have announced they will not proceed with plans to construct a $1.3 billion downtown arena, a surprising development considering the recent approval from the city council for the controversial project. This decision comes just weeks after the council's endorsement, reflecting a significant change in direction for the NBA team.
According to reports from The Philadelphia Inquirer, multiple members of the city council confirmed the team's shift in plans. The 76ers have reached an agreement with Comcast Spectacor to continue operating within the city's sports stadium district, although further details about this new arrangement remain undisclosed.
The 76ers currently play at the Wells Fargo Center, owned by Comcast Spectacor, which also owns the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. Neither the 76ers, the mayor's office, nor Comcast Spectacor responded to media inquiries regarding these recent developments. The team’s decision has sparked mixed reactions within the community, particularly among those who opposed the downtown arena plan.
Opponents of the arena's downtown relocation expressed relief at the announcement. City Council members Jamie Gauthier and Rue Landau, both of whom voted against the initial proposal, suggested that the way the development was handled reflects poorly on the team's management. They stated, “We’re glad that the Sixers will remain in the stadium district where they best belong. But the way they reached this decision reflects a profound lack of respect for City leaders, stakeholders, and residents.”
The 76ers had proposed the downtown arena to be called 76 Place by 2031, after a lengthy and contentious two-year debate. The project had drawn significant opposition from Chinatown residents and various activist groups concerned about potential traffic congestion and the displacement of the local community.
Councilman Jimmy Harrity, who supported the arena's relocation, expressed frustration, stating, “I feel as though I was used as a pawn.” He emphasized his dismay at the abrupt change in the 76ers' strategy. Meanwhile, Mayor Cherelle Parker, a Democrat who advocated for the project, had previously argued that the arena would serve as a “historic game-changing economic development project” for the entire city. The proposed 18,500-seat venue was expected to revitalize the struggling Market East corridor, an area that has seen minimal improvement despite previous redevelopment efforts.
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the 76ers' ownership group, had aimed to secure city approval for the arena project before the end of the year to stay on track for its planned opening. They had assured the city that they would not request construction funding but were open to obtaining state and federal support. Instead of typical property taxes, the team would contribute approximately $6 million annually in payments in lieu of taxes.
Concerns raised by opponents included predictions of increased traffic congestion on game days and fears of gentrification and rising rents in the surrounding neighborhood. The Chinatown community, in particular, has a long history of opposing various development proposals since the 1960s, including previous attempts to site a casino, prison, baseball stadium, and a highway that split the neighborhood upon its opening in 1991.
The No Arena coalition, which rallied against the downtown proposal, expressed satisfaction with the recent announcement. They emphasized the need for politicians to prioritize community interests over corporate profits, stating, "We're relieved to hear that the nightmare of a Center City Sixers arena will not haunt our city anymore… this win belongs to you, and the lesson for politicians is to trust the people."
