A few weeks ago, I wrote a column on the new 76ers arena. Since then, there have been a few updates on the legislation — and I still think it is a terrible idea. Despite the changes in proposals and plans, my opinion has not changed since the idea was announced in 2022.
On the “76 Place” website, the first thing that pops up says “The right move for the Sixers, the right move for Market East.” The website says that this new arena is going to revitalize Chinatown and “Give the 76ers and its fans the arena they deserve.” There is no need to revitalize this part of Philly, because there is already so much to do there. The plans to “revitalize” it with the arena will only make things worse.
A few days ago, two pieces of city council legislation for the new arena passed. These measures did not necessarily fully approve of the new arena. One focused on construction, taxing and the closing of streets in order to build the arena and more. The other would remove the arena from the Gallery Neighborhood Improvement District.
There will be a public hearing on Nov. 12 for Philadelphians to speak out more about this issue, and I am looking forward to hearing more opinions from people, specifically from the No Arena in the Heart of Our City Coalition. This coalition holds events to take action against the new arena and have a petition on their website available to sign. They make note of issues, including how the arena will take years to build, that the area will become more gentrified and that traffic will become more of an issue than it is already.
These are all significant, as building this arena risks raising house prices that would make it unaffordable for the people who live there now — which is already an issue and will get worse. Multiple studies have been conducted that address the economic, environmental and traffic issues that come along with this arena.
You can show your support for the No Arena in the Heart of Our City Coalition by signing the petition. If you are currently living in Philly and are not a fan of this arena idea, you can also show your support by showing up to the events held by the coalition.
Pro-arena groups talk about how Chinatown will be preserved, but this just reminds me of what Mayor Cherelle Parker said before. She said she cares about the Chinatown neighborhood, yet she approved the proposal for the arena and wants to continue to go forward with it. Chinatown will not be preserved. The opposite will happen.
Cherelle Parker does not care about Chinatown and the people in that area of Philadelphia. She is not listening to the No Arena in the Heart of Our City Coalition and many other Philadelphians who have explicitly done their research on the issues that could continue to arise because of this arena. Show your love for Chinatown and keep this arena out of the neighborhood. I encourage everyone interested in this subject to show your support and do extra research on this — that’s the only way to have a fighting chance.
Have opinions on the possible new 76ers arena? You can email Irene at [email protected].