It is crucial for Philadelphians and our representatives to consider the numerous negative impacts the proposed arena will have on our community.
Here’s why we’re working to stop 76 Place:
the facts
Arenas are not economic engines
Studies do not support the belief that sports arenas significantly benefit downtown areas. Promised economic boosts often fall short, with minimal net gains for local economies.
As stadium researcher and local professor Dominic Vitiello told the New York Times, “This is the consensus among honest, independent experts — not the consulting firms hired by teams and cities to justify investments that end up harming cities and communities.”
an arena will create adverse conditions for local businesses
The massive project’s demolition and construction will disrupt businesses, reducing revenue, profitability, and viability, and intensifying economic strain due to decreased customer engagement.
Once built, the Sixers will focus on profiting from in-arena concessions and merchandise, further discouraging patrons from supporting nearby businesses.
The Fashion District is currently open roughly 360 days annually, while 76 Place would be open at most for 150 events. How can businesses thrive when a once-bustling block is either dead or overrun?
most sixers fans won’t use public transportation
For Philadelphia to become a world-class city, it must prioritize massive public transit investments. Cultural attitudes toward public transportation, influenced by historical experiences, car culture, and safety concerns, mean it would take years of efficient, reliable service for most attendees to choose SEPTA over private vehicles.
It will also take budget increases that will allow for extra trains at night on game and event days, at a time when SEPTA’s budget faces incredible fiscal challenges. Can the city really meet the transportation needs of residents and visitors?
By the Sixers’ own (incredibly optimistic) numbers, 3,700 cars would travel to Center City for each game. Bumper-to-bumper, that’s 10.4 miles of cars.
congestion threatens access to emergency services
The developers' study indicates that traffic would reduce PennDOT ratings at five key intersections around Chinatown, and parts of 10th and 11th Streets would close on game days, disrupting critical corridors—including those accessing the Jefferson ER at 11th and Chestnut.
Notably, the area lost Hahnemann Hospital after it was sold by a group that included Sixers' owner Josh Harris. This makes the Jefferson ER the only level one trauma center in Center City. Already operating beyond capacity, it could face further challenges in emergencies due to increased crowds.
chinatown and the gayborhood say “no”
Chinatown is mere inches from the proposed 76 Place, and would be forced to live in its literal shadow. The neighborhood is a vital piece of Philadelphia's social fabric and cultural heritage; it's also the last working-class neighborhood of color in Center City.
Just across Market Street, dozens of businesses owned by LGBTQ+ residents comprise our historic Gayborhood. These unique, cherished communities cannot be replicated, and they deserve protection from further predatory development.
its lead developers are untrustworthy Billionaires
David Adelman, CEO of Campus Apartments, is frequently critiqued by tenants, with one lawsuit describing housing conditions as “utterly reprehensible.” His projects have heavily contributed to the displacement of residents from Black Bottom, a Black working-class neighborhood.
Josh Harris co-founded the private equity firm that led to the downfall of Hahnemann Hospital, a vital safety net hospital.
David Blitzer is Head of Tactical Opportunities at the Blackstone Group, the world’s largest corporate residential landlords. In 2019, the UN’s housing advisor characterized them as “helping to fuel a global housing crisis.”
the public will pay for hidden costs
While 76Place developers claim the economics for their project will be different because the arena will be privately funded, studies show that in any arena project, there is an array of less obvious public costs (like infrastructure, capital improvements, and municipal services).
76Place wants to “gift” the land their arena will sit on to the city and then lease it back; this will effectively make the arena tax exempt. Tax exemption is an invisible form of public subsidy, whether the arena is built with private money or not.
Additionally, 76 Devcorp has not ruled out funding their project with state or federal dollars.
we’ve seen this before
Chinatown has fended off many threats to its existence—most recently a baseball stadium and a casino. In 1991, 200 residents and seven businesses were displaced by the construction of the Convention Center. Back then, the firm that is now “analyzing” 76Place inaccurately predicted a 56% rise in hotel bookings, which actually fell by 26%.
Philadelphians were also promised that transforming the Gallery into the Fashion District would revitalize Market East, with taxpayers contributing $90 million. While the mall is more successful than critics claim, nearby blocks remain neglected. Instead of demolishing functional properties, the city could invest in activating these sites to support community needs and boost foot traffic.
Another box will not save Market East: we need human-scale development.
We’ve done our reading—and we’ve compiled a dossier using legitimate, reputable sources to spell out the consequences this development could have on our community.