Philadelphia 76ers reach agreement to build arena in center city
REPORT: Philadelphia 76ers Reach Agreement to Build New Arena in Center City
Source: Bruce Bennett / Getty
After a long hard fight between three states for residency of the Philadelphia 76ers, it looks like the 76ers are staying in the Keystone state.
Mayor Cherelle announced via social media today that her administration has reached an agreement with the 76ers for the a new stadium to be built in Center City Philadelphia to house our 76ers.
“As your 100th mayor … I am proud to share that I have made my decision and an agreement has been reached to make sure our sixers, are staying home.” Parker said in a official statement. “My administration has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers for an arena in center city and I will be transmitting the related legislative package for consideration, where it must be approved.”
Earlier this summer, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed that state leaders were having a “serious conversation” with the Philadelphia 76ers to persuade the team to build its new stadium, 76 Place, in the Garden State. In response, the Sixers told CBS News Philadelphia the team remains “focused on bringing a state-of-the-art arena to Philadelphia” and hopes to open the facility in time for the 2031-32 NBA season.
Delaware also put in a bid to host the 76ers new stadium. Delaware Governor John Carney took to social media to try and persuade the organization to set up shop in the first state.
RELATED: Delaware Governor Calls on Philadelphia 76ers to Open New Arena in Wilmington
“Hey @sixers, if you’re looking outside of Philly, let’s build your new arena in Wilmington. We’re all in. In Delaware, you’ll get:
- A huge Sixers fan base
- No sales tax
- Best community around
Check out this rendering of the arena. What do we think, Delaware?”
A long-awaited impact report that focused on the community impact, the economic impact, the transportation impact and the design of the $1.55 billion proposed arena to Chinatown, was released earlier this year. The analysis found that one in five of Chinatown’s small businesses is expected to benefit from the proposed arena, while about half would see negative effects. The businesses that are positioned to benefit, according to the report, are primarily in the entertainment, food and hotel sectors.
RELATED: Proposed Philadelphia 76ers arena could damage Chinatown, community impact report shows
Despite the multiple bids to move the Sixers to a new state, Mayor Parker feels the best decision economically is for the Sixers to stay in state.
Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty
Parker said the agreement promises $1.3B in private investments for Philadelphia, and “hundreds of millions” in new tax revenue for the city and it’s school district. She estimates that the arena project will also create 100s of new jobs in Philadelphia if approved.
“It means an economic opportunity plan – quite frankly – the likes of which have never been seen in our city,” Parker said. “And it represents the start of an unprecedented revival of Market Street, Philadelphia’s very first commercial quarter, which we know can reign supreme again.”
