Mayor Parker announces a revised agreement to build a state-of-the-art stadium at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, ending Center City arena plans.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed Monday that her administration has reached an agreement to keep the Philadelphia 76ers in South Philadelphia, abandoning the proposal to build a new arena in Center City’s Market East neighborhood. Speaking alongside city council members, representatives from Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), Comcast, and the NBA, Parker expressed optimism about the revised plan to construct a new facility at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.
“This is about a win, win, win, win for Philadelphia,” Parker said at a press conference.
The announcement comes just weeks after city council approved legislation to support the now-scrapped “76 Place” project in Center City, a proposal that had sparked opposition from groups and local stakeholders. Now, the Sixers will partner with Comcast to build the new arena, which they aim to open by 2031.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, speaking via video conference, praised the agreement and thanked Mayor Parker and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for their support. “I have no doubt that the team from HBSE and Comcast are going to build a truly special facility,” Silver said.
The pivot to South Philadelphia was met with mixed reactions. Councilmember Mark Squilla described it as a practical decision for the city. “Yes, people can feel like they were used, and it’s a sting for some folks, but as elected officials, we have to look at what’s best for the city as a whole,” he said.
Not all responses were positive. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who opposed the Center City arena plan, criticized the process, calling it “a waste of time and city resources.” She added, “I think the Sixers have a lot of apologizing to do for the position they put the city of Philadelphia in.”
Community groups and activists who had fought against the Center City proposal celebrated the news as a major victory. The No Arena Coalition, which held a press conference at the Chinatown Arch, emphasized their relief while calling for greater community involvement in future city planning.
“This is a reminder that billionaires call the shots as long as our elected officials allow them to,” said Katie Garth, co-founder of No Arena Washington Square West. “No matter how Mayor Parker tries to spin it, this was a colossal waste of time and city resources.”
Representatives from various Chinatown advocacy groups echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for more inclusive city planning processes. Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, said, “Now it is time to build a Philadelphia that works for everybody, where communities are at the center of decision-making.”