City Council Approves Philadelphia 76ers Arena

In a contentious scene, Philadelphia’s city council gave the green light to the Philadelphia 76ers for a basketball arena to be built on East Market Street.

12 of the 17 council members voted in favor of all the legislation in an 11-bill package that would enable the Sixers’ $1.3 billion project, Bisnow reported. The votes will allow 76 Place to replace a portion of the Fashion District mall on 10th and Filbert streets.

The dissenting council members voted against virtually all of the same bills. A couple of disapproving members switched sides over a bill that would create a zoning overlay to protect Chinatown, where residents have struck up the most resistance to the Sixers’ ambitions.

The vote was not without drama, as protesters delayed the vote by 30 minutes after forming a human chain in front of the desk of the council president. Law enforcement came and removed protesters one-by-one before the council meeting could begin.

For the Sixers, this solidifies the NBA team’s presence in Philadelphia after its lease at the Wells Fargo Center expires in 2031. Demolition of the forthcoming arena site should be able to begin in 2026.

“We look forward to pursuing the remaining approvals to make 76Place a reality,” Sixers owner David Adelman said in a statement.

Locals opposed the project because some were worried about gentrification in Chinatown, increased traffic in Center City and the financial position of SEPTA, the mass transit service provider in the city.

Those who live in Chinatown are still reeling from a divisive expressway that split their community three decades ago.

There’s also been disagreement about a community benefits agreement linked to the project. The council president sought a $100 million agreement, but settled for a $60 million agreement calling for construction mitigation efforts, among other citywide initiatives.

Critically, there were initially plans in place for a $250 million apartment building on the arena’s north side, a 25-story property slated to include 395 units. That was gutted from the proposal in October, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal, though there are still plans to develop 720 units around the arena.

— Holden Walter-Warner