A planned $250 million apartment tower above a proposed Center City arena, 76 Place, has been abandoned.
Officials said the building was to house almost 400 apartments some designated for affordable housing, according to 6 ABC.
City Councilmember Mark Squilla called the complex a “middle finger” to Chinatown, asserting the tower was neither affordable or beneficial. CBS News reported Squilla requested the 76ers remove the tower from their plans.
The councilmember represents the area where the apartments would have been located.
Squilla formerly called the arena a “viable project” after impact studies indicated its potential threat to small businesses.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has shown her support for the controversial development plans to build a $1.3 billion arena on Market Street, saying that it will be entirely financed by the 76ers without any city funding.
Parker expressed her intention to keep the 76ers in Philadelphia after New Jersey officials made an offer for the basketball team to build their arena in Camden.
Legislation for the arena, which was first revealed in 2022, can be introduced as soon as Thursday, Oct. 24. If approved, demolition may begin in 2026 and construction may start in 2028. Opening of the arena would be in 2031.
The proposal has been met with backlash from neighborhoods in Market East, especially Chinatown.
“The billionaires behind the arena don’t care about affordable housing and the tower was always a PR sham,” The Save Chinatown Coalition said in a statement. “…The city’s getting taken for a ride, and Mayor Parker and Councilman Squilla are helping push the cart, lowering the bar for every development yet to come.”
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