Philadelphia 76ers’ Center City arena proposal gets the support of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is throwing her support behind the 76ers’ ambitious plan to build a new arena in Center City. The announcement comes just a week after a town hall on the controversial project, which has raised concerns about its impact on Chinatown.

Rendering of potential Philadelphia 76ers arena in Camden released shortly after Mayor Cherelle Parker’s town hall addressing concerns about moving location to Market East

The proposed $1.55 billion arena, dubbed “76 Place,” would be located in the Market East area, replacing part of the Fashion District Philadelphia between Market, Filbert, 10th, and 11th Streets. In addition to the arena, the plan includes a mixed-use high-rise with approximately 395 units next to the complex.

With Parker’s endorsement, the project now moves to the next critical step—getting city council approval. The Sixers expressed their appreciation in a statement, saying, “We are grateful to Mayor Parker and her team for their time and diligence in evaluating our proposal and look forward to advancing to the next steps with City Council.”

Per a Sixers spokesperson on the announcement from the mayor:
 
“We are grateful to Mayor Parker and her team for their time and diligence in evaluating our proposal and look forward to advancing to the next steps with City Council.”

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) September 18, 2024

The New Jersey 76ers is officially shut down…for now

Save Chinatown Coalition holds rally outside City Hall after 76ers arena decision.

📹: @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/XcEY7FEJWW

— On Pattison (@OnPattison) September 18, 2024

Camden Still In Play for 76 Place if Market East Fails?

With mounting local backlash from their proposed Chinatown neighbors and a lack of significant progress with their plans at Market East, 76 Place initially hit a roadblock. This opened the door for Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment (HBSE) to explore a new option: building an arena across the river in Camden, New Jersey.

Back in July, NJ.com reported that there were “serious conversations” about relocating the Sixers to Camden. However, the team maintained that their primary focus was still on getting 76 Place built in Philadelphia.

More recently, ROI-NJ revealed that the state of New Jersey had formally sent the 76ers a proposal for an arena in Camden.

The potential site for the new project? A former state prison area along the Delaware River, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

New Jersey offered the team an enticing alternative location along Camden’s waterfront, complete with over $1 billion in tax credits and bonds, adding pressure to keep the Sixers in Philly.

The rendering of the potential Sixers arena in Camden looks nice 👀

(📸 @ROINJNews) pic.twitter.com/YkHWfCvUDm

— Sixerdaily on IG (@Sixerdaily) September 12, 2024

The Next Steps for 76 Place Approval:

With the Sixers’ lease at Wells Fargo Center expiring in 2031, the pressure is on to find a solution, whether in Philly or Camden.

Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district includes the proposed arena site, has indicated that a decision could come this fall. If legislation is introduced, there will be public hearings to gather feedback, and amendments will be considered before a final vote.

The Sixers are running up against a tight deadline.

Mayor Parker has made it clear that keeping the Sixers in the city is a priority, especially with competing offers like Camden on the table.

Now, all eyes are on city council as the proposal moves forward.

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Mandatory Credit: Photo via Metro Philadelphia