Applause and chanting rang throughout City Council on Tuesday, December 3rd, during the council’s final public hearing on the proposed 76ers arena, 76 Place.
The energy carried over into the overflow rooms where even more residents were seen wearing shirts and bringing in signs to support their side.
Critics of the legislation to build the arena brought up corners about traffic control, the destruction of Chinatown’s small businesses, and how the city could be investing this money to support other causes.
Rachel Rodriquez, a local art teacher, spoke during the hearing saying, “When will our Representatives, you, develop long term strategies to fund our city sustainably to take care of all of us: The regular Philadelphians who build this city every single day, every single year.”
Supporters pushing fore the arena argued it will not just showcase Philly sports, but bring crucial jobs and money to the city – Dollars that could fix other city wide issues.
Mark Lynch, a business manager at IBEW Local Union 98, also spoke on Tuesday saying, “That’s what this is about, it’s about thousands of jobs, about thousands of careers. It’s about investing in our school system.”
Following the final public hearing, people continued throughout the week to make sure their voices were heard in this debate. On Wednesday, organizations including Black Philly 4 Chinatown and Power Interfaith held a press conference to express their disapproval of this plan.
If passed, the arena, 76 Place, would be built on Market St. East, replacing the Fashion District.
Renderings of the 76 Place have been released by developers, but the final details will have to be discussed with city council.
The plan for the arena needs to pass by the end of the year to ensure it will be built in 2031, the same year the current lease ends between the Sixers’ and the Wells Fargo Center.
City Council’s final session of the year could be as late as December 19th.
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