I 76ers have a new teammate in their bid to build a new $1.3 billion arena downtown. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced Wednesday that she has struck a deal with the team’s owners to keep the NBA franchise in the city and will send it to the City Council. The move comes over objections from residents of nearby Chinatown and just weeks after New Jersey’s governor offered $400 million in tax breaks to build the site across the river in Camden.
“This is a historic deal,” Parker said in a video posted on the social media platform X. “I believe with all my heart that this is the right deal for the people of Philadelphia. To the people of Chinatown, please know that I hear you. We have the best Chinatown in the United States, and I am committed to working together to support it.”
The team’s owners say their planned 76 Place would improve a struggling retail corridor near City Hall and capitalize on the city’s public transit system. They have vowed not to renew the lease on their current home, a circa-1996 arena in the city’s South Philadelphia Sports Complex, when their lease expires in 2031. The team now leases the arena from Comcast Spectacor, which also owns the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, who also play there. Instead, the Sixers’ owners want a more modern facility, which they could also rent for concerts and other events.
Josh Harris, managing partner of the ownership group, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, said the Sixers will build a privately funded facility that “strengthens bonds within the local community through investments that prioritize equity, inclusivity and accessibility.” A spokesman said Wednesday that the owners were grateful for Parker’s support of their proposal “and look forward to advancing the next steps with the city council.”
Chinatown activists complained Wednesday that he has ignored it. Some of them came to City Hall with homemade lanterns to “shed light” on the potential consequences. They say the project will increase traffic in their pedestrian-friendly neighborhood and force vulnerable residents — seniors, low-income families and new immigrants — out. Debbie Wei, of the Save Chinatown Coalition, said the mayor alone shouldn’t decide “whether our community lives or dies.” “This fight is far from over,” she said in a statement. “We will fight this, and we will go to the mat. It’s wide open.”
What are the anticipated benefits of the new Philadelphia 76ers arena for the local community?
Table of Contents
Philadelphia 76ers Get Closer to New Arena with Mayor’s Support
The Philadelphia 76ers have taken a significant step forward in their bid to build a new $1.3 billion arena in downtown Philadelphia, thanks to the support of Mayor Cherelle Parker. The mayor announced on Wednesday that she has struck a deal with the team’s owners to keep the NBA franchise in the city, which will now be sent to the City Council for approval.
A Historic Deal for the City
Mayor Parker hailed the agreement as a historic deal for the people of Philadelphia, citing the benefits it will bring to the local community. “This is a historic deal,” she said in a video posted on social media platform X. “I believe with all my heart that this is the right deal for the people of Philadelphia.” The mayor also acknowledged the concerns of nearby Chinatown residents, stating, “To the people of Chinatown, please know that I hear you. We have the best Chinatown in the United States, and I am committed to working together to support it.”
The Benefits of the New Arena
The proposed 76 Place arena is expected to improve a struggling retail corridor near City Hall and capitalize on the city’s public transit system. The team’s owners, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, have vowed not to renew their current lease on the circa-1996 arena in South Philadelphia Sports Complex when it expires in 2031. Instead, they want a modern facility that can host concerts and other events, generating revenue and creating jobs for the local community.
A Privately Funded Facility
Josh Harris, managing partner of the ownership group, emphasized that the new arena will be a privately funded facility that prioritizes equity, inclusivity, and accessibility. “We will build a facility that strengthens bonds within the local community through investments that prioritize equity, inclusivity, and accessibility,” he said. The owners have pledged to work with local stakeholders to ensure that the arena benefits the community as a whole.
New Jersey’s Offer Rejected
The news comes just weeks after New Jersey’s governor offered $400 million in tax breaks to build the arena across the river in Camden. However, the 76ers’ owners have opted to stay in Philadelphia, citing their commitment to the city and its fans.
What’s Next
With the mayor’s support, the proposal will now be sent to the City Council for approval. If successful, the new arena could become a reality, providing a state-of-the-art facility for the 76ers and a boost to the local economy.
Key Takeaways
The Philadelphia 76ers are one step closer to building a new $1.3 billion arena in downtown Philadelphia with the support of Mayor Cherelle Parker.
The proposed 76 Place arena will improve a struggling retail corridor near City Hall and capitalize on the city’s public transit system.
The team’s owners have pledged to build a privately funded facility that prioritizes equity, inclusivity, and accessibility.
The new arena is expected to generate revenue and create jobs for the local community.
Optimized Keywords
Philadelphia 76ers
New arena
Mayor Cherelle Parker
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Josh Harris
76 Place
Chinatown
South Philadelphia Sports Complex
Camden
* New Jersey
Meta Description
The Philadelphia 76ers are closer to getting a new $1.3 billion arena in downtown Philadelphia, thanks to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s support. Learn more about the proposed 76 Place arena and its benefits for the local community.
Philadelphia, and this has sparked discussions about the potential impact of the new arena on the community and economy.
Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic of the new Philadelphia 76ers arena:
Philadelphia 76ers Get Closer to New Arena with Mayor’s Support
The Philadelphia 76ers have taken a significant step forward in their bid to build a new $1.3 billion arena in downtown Philadelphia, thanks to the support of Mayor Cherelle Parker. The mayor announced on Wednesday that she has struck a deal with the team’s owners to keep the NBA franchise in
