Things are looking grim for opponents of a new 76er arena that would border Philadelphia Chinatown.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the city council gave preliminary approval to the $1.3 billion proposal with a final vote scheduled for next Thursday.
The council voted 12-4 over the chants of protestors who packed the meeting.
“Today was a searing indictment of the poor leadership from Council and the Mayor, who collapsed their own deal and were railroaded by billionaires and developers. We have wasted months of time and countless hours of hearings, for barely any change in a deal that was written by the developers more than two years ago. It’s an embarrassing indication of the lack of strategic and tactical skills from a largely rookie Council who got played,” said the No Arena Coalition, a diverse group of Asian, Black and progressive leaders in Philadelphia.
ABC6 reports the vote came after the developers agreed to pay $60 million to community groups over 30 years in the form of a community benefits agreement. The dollar figure is less than $100 million the city asked for, but more than the $50 million the team originally offered.
“It was shocking to see Council leadership declare a bottom dollar figure of $100 million and completely capitulate to pressure less than 12 hours later,” the No Arena Coalition said in a statement sent to AsAmNews.
The vote is a victory for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker who backed the arena.
“Today, City Council took monumental action on this $1.3 billion economic development project for Philadelphia that, as I have consistently said, extends far beyond the basketball,” Parker said.
Opponents fear the arena will force rents up in Chinatown, chase out small local businesses and increase traffic and making the neighborhood an undesirable place to visit.
Thursday night, protestors staged a car caravan through the neighborhood designed to recreate the gridlock they said the arena will bring.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We are supported through donations and such charitable organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This holiday season, double your impact by making a tax-deductible donation to Asian American Media Inc and AsAmNews. Thanks to an additional benefactor, all donations will now be matched up to a total of $12,000.
Please also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X.
