Protests continue over new 76ers arena in Center City Philadelphia

Philadelphia residents who live near the proposed site of a new arena for the NBA’s 76ers have called another timeout on the building planned for a location adjoining Macerich’s Fashion Square mall in Center City.

Last month protesters marched on Market Street and chanted “hands off Chinatown,” appealing to city officials and the public opinion to quash the deal made for the building of the $1.3 billion sports and entertainment complex. This week they have again called upon city councilman Mark Squilla to keep his promise he would approve of its construction only with public support.

“Councilman Squilla has to introduce legislation for the arena to happen, and [said that] ‘only if supported by the community’ would that legislation be able to move forward. It is very clear that the community doesn’t want it. Hold true to your word,” Rev. Wayne Lee, pastor of the Christian Chinese Church, said this week.

A press release from the opposition group claimed that more than 17,000 people have signed a petition opposing the arena and that more than 4,500 people sent handwritten postcards to the Philadelphia City Council expressing their discontent.

When the project was announced, 76ers managing partner Josh Harris said that the building of the arena would reinvigorate Center City and “create a privately funded arena that strengthens ties within the local community through investments that prioritize equity, inclusivity. and accessibility.”

Placing the team’s new home on Market Street was the idea of David Edelman, head of 76 Devcorp., the developer of the project. He, too, felt that a project of such scope and public appeal would rejuvenate the heart of the sixth largest metro in the United States.

“The chosen location is a key step in the process of developing a destination that provides Center City and surrounding communities with an economic engine generating activity through 76ers and youth games, concerts, events and more,” Adelman said at the project’s outset.

If built, the new arena won’t host its first NBA game until the 2031-32 season. That’s after the Sixers’ current lease at Wells Fargo Center in South Philly will have expired.