by Jane Park, AsAmNews Intern
The two-and-a-half-year battle against a stadium near Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown has ended in a hard-fought victory for its residents.
The Save Chinatown Coalition held a press conference today after the Philadelphia 76ers abandoned plans to build an arena in the nearby City Center.
The controversial development plans were widely opposed by Philadelphians, especially Chinatown residents who feared the arena would worsen traffic, drive away customers, gentrify the neighborhood and surge rent for low-income individuals.
“We are so proud and happy and relieved that Chinatown, a 150-year-old community, will continue to stand strong,” said Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, which helped lead the coalition.
“But let’s be clear, it didn’t have to be like this,” the director added.
Seshadri criticized the Philadelphia City Council for disregarding residents’ initial concerns when the development plans became public. The city’s politicians also faced criticism for excluding activists from conversations about the arena’s impact on their communities despite holding press conferences, protests, rallies and conducting research.
“I think the politicians that we’ve elected…they do know what the right thing is, but you know money actually really is the battle that we face,” said Harry Leong, speaking on behalf of the Chinese Christian Church & Center and the Philadelphia Suns. “…We will continue to struggle if we continue to follow money as our source.”
With Mayor Cherelle Parker’s backing and the council’s 12-5 vote to build the arena, the coalition and its supporters are reconsidering who to vote for in the next election.

“We will not forget their deliberate disregard this next election cycle,” said Katie Garth from No Arena Washington Square West. “The people demand City Council and the mayor exercise better judgment in future initiatives and with respect for the voices of everyday Philadelphians. When Chinatown rings the alarm next time, will you listen?”
Parker held a press conference of her own today after the 76ers and Flyers announced a partnership to instead build the arena in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.
The mayor said the new plans are a “win, win, win, win for Philadelphia,” NBC10 reported.
While she still feels the City Center arena would’ve been a historic deal, the alternative could be bigger and better.
Parker also said she plans to fulfill promises to invest $20 million in affordable housing and other projects in Chinatown.
“We want to hear more details. We want to be at the table. We want to have those conversations again,” Seshadri said when asked about Parker’s statement. “I have faith in (the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation) to know what is necessary for this community…And we’re ready to work with anybody who’s willing to engage with us and to trust that faith and to listen to our voices.”
The 76ers and Flyers also echoed Parker’s words, stating they would invest in the revitalization of Market East where the arena was to be initially developed.
Seshadri responded to these plans by emphasizing that the coalition never discouraged development in Market East but “the right development that supports local communities, that supports local neighborhoods, that builds up rather than tears down.”
Except this time around, the coalition wants to be in on those discussions.
The Save Chinatown Coalition brought different communities throughout Philadelphia together.
“Don’t believe billionaires got together and found some way to agree,” said Rev. Gregory Holston of Black Philly for Chinatown. “…Black and White and Asian all standing together — it was all of them who’ve been organizing for this last two years that has made the difference.”
Holston added that Black organizers in particular supported the cause out of empathy after experiencing gentrification in North, South and West Philadelphia.
The 76ers arena also mobilized high school and college students, allowing the city’s next generation of leadership to shine.
“We want a city that fights for our schools and our libraries harder than the whims of billionaires,” said Taryn Flaherty, a University of Pennsylvania student and SPOC member. “It’s a wake-up call to our mayor and our city council that when you roll out a red carpet for the Sixers, you become the carpet they will trample all over.”
Speakers at the press conference said the fight is not over. If harmful development plans and proposals continue to emerge in the future, local communities will be left facing displacement and dispossession.
“This was an exercise for us in resistance,” said Brittany Alston, the Philly Black Worker Project’s founder and executive director. “Whether or not they had their own deals moving for us, this was an exercise in resistance, and we will continue to resist.”
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
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