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Mayor Cherelle Parker, Council President Kenyatta Johnson and 76ers owner Josh Harris in a press conference at City Hall concerning a new arena to be built in South Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Lee/WHYY
Mayor Cherelle Parker, Council President Kenyatta Johnson and 76ers owner Josh Harris in a press conference at City Hall concerning a new arena to be built in South Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Lee/WHYY

Philadelphia 76ers to Remain in South Philadelphia, Announce Plans for New Arena

In a dramatic shift, the Philadelphia 76ers announced they will build their new arena adjacent to their current venue, scrapping downtown plans.

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In a surprising development, the Philadelphia 76ers have scrapped plans for a downtown arena and will instead construct a new facility adjacent to their current home in South Philadelphia, the team and city officials announced Monday.

The announcement reverses a decision made last month when the city had given its approval for a $1.3 billion arena project in Center City, a move that had sparked considerable controversy and public protest. The new plan calls for a state-of-the-art arena within the existing sports and entertainment complex that includes Wells Fargo Center, where the 76ers currently play.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, alongside 76ers owners and Comcast executives, revealed the change in plans at a City Hall press conference. The new venue will replace the Wells Fargo Center, enhancing the sports complex that also hosts games for the NFL's Eagles and MLB's Phillies.

“This development is a win-win-win-win for our city,” Mayor Parker stated, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the shift. “Today's announcement is not just about a new arena, but a commitment to revitalizing and investing in the Market Street East area.”

The original plan had been championed by Mayor Parker as a significant opportunity to inject vitality into a flagging section of downtown Philadelphia. However, the proposed location near the city's historic Chinatown faced strong opposition from local residents and community groups concerned about gentrification and displacement.

Activists, who had been vocal in their opposition to the downtown arena, gathered in Chinatown shortly after the City Hall announcement to celebrate what they viewed as a victory for community advocacy. “We’ve shown that grassroots organizing can sway the biggest of decisions,” said Wei Chen, civic engagement director of Asian Americans United.

The decision to stay in South Philadelphia was also influenced by logistical considerations, including easier access to public transportation and existing infrastructure that could be upgraded more readily than starting anew downtown.

Further sweetening the deal, the new agreement includes a commitment from the 76ers and Comcast to attract a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team to Philadelphia and to invest in the revitalization of the surrounding area.

Despite the pivot, not all responses were positive. Some community members expressed distrust towards city officials and disappointment over the handling of the initial downtown proposal. At the Chinatown press conference, chants of “Shame! Shame!” echoed, with attendees criticizing the city’s leadership for initially supporting the now-abandoned project.

As Philadelphia prepares for this major project, the focus now shifts to the specifics of the new arena’s construction timeline and the broader impacts on South Philadelphia's economic landscape. The 76ers management expressed excitement about the team's future in a familiar neighborhood, with a promise to integrate seamlessly into the community fabric.

With this decision, the 76ers hope to lay the foundation for future sporting successes and community partnerships, ensuring that their new home remains an integral part of the South Philadelphia scene.

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