Sixers to build new arena in South Philly in deal with Comcast Spectator

The reaction of opponents

Arena opponents celebrated the Sixers’ deal on Sunday after various media outlets confirmed the deal with Comcast. For more than two years, activists have called the downtown project an existential threat to Chinatown, located just steps from the proposed site.

Members of the Save Chinatown Coalition urged Parker and lawmakers to block the project, saying it would create a traffic nightmare that would deter people from coming to the neighborhood, hurting hundreds of small businesses.

They also argued that the arena would gentrify the 150-year-old community by raising property taxes beyond what existing residents could afford.

“I am convinced that if we had not spent the last two years fighting tooth and nail, day in and day out, with community leaders and advocates across the city, there would already be shovels in the ground.” , Mohan said. Seshadri, executive director of Asian Americans United, after a news conference Monday afternoon in Chinatown.

On Sunday, lawmakers who voted against the arena proposal took the opportunity to denounce the abandoned project while celebrating the team’s decision to stay in South Philadelphia.

City Council member Jamie Gauthier said the proposal was a “huge waste of city resources” but added that she was relieved the team would stay in South Philadelphia.

“I always thought this draft was half-baked and, to me, what is happening now is proof, not only that the draft was not ready, but also that the Sixers never had a commitment to us – to the citizens, the Council, the city or anyone else,” Gauthier said.