Sixers arena: City Council to hold final vote on Center City arena plans
City council to hold vote that could approve construction of controversial Center City arena
City Council will vote on 11 of 26 bills that could "authorize the construction and operation of the proposed new Sixers Arena in Center City." The slate of bills, officials say, were introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla, who represents the Center City district where the arena is planned.
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia City Council will vote Thursday on a package of bills that could green-light a controversial plan to build a new Sixers arena in Center City.
City Council will vote on 11 of 26 bills that could "authorize the construction and operation of the proposed new Sixers Arena in Center City." The slate of bills, officials say, were introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla, who represents the Center City district where the arena is planned.
In a statement shared Wednesday, the Mayor's office explained that the bills must be voted on by all 17 members of council and receive a majority approval to pass. The council meeting is expected to include public comment on all legislation up for final passage and speeches from councilmembers.
You can watch the crucial city council vote at 10 a.m. on FOX29.com and the FOX 29 YouTube page.
- Bill #240963: Would remove the site of the proposed Sixers arena from the existing Gallery At Market East Tax Increment Financing District because the arena site will be City owned land and therefore not subject to taxation
- Bill #240964-A: Creates a special services district to mitigate the impact of the arena on the surrounding community. The Arena Services District Authority will manage the district and provide services within it. The Authority would be funded by the Sixers through the Community Benefit Agreement (CBA).
- Bill #240966: Transaction ordinance, which includes approving the $60 Million CBA between the Sixers and the City of Philadelphia.
- Bill #240967: Authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Service Agreement between The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to promote the growth and expansion of business, commerce and tourism within The City of Philadelphia in connection with the development of a multipurpose sports and entertainment facility, including an arena to accommodate National Basketball Association (NBA) games, and family entertainment, community, retail and other uses.
- Bill #240968: Removes Filbert Street between 10th and 11th Streets to provide space for the arena. It would allow changes to curbs, sidewalks, inlets, and fire hydrants as agreed by the Philadelphia Department of Streets and the Philadelphia Water Department.
- Bill # 240969: Authorizes replacement of the existing pedestrian bridge over 10th Street with a higher pedestrian bridge.
- Bill #240970: Authorizes installation of protective bollards, planters, freestanding signs and bicycle racks on the sidewalks around the arena.
- Bill #240971: Amends Philadelphia zoning laws in the arena area to allow large signs, freestanding signs, a roof logo, and full motion digital displays.
- Bill #240972: Amends the Philadelphia Zoning code to set special rules for signs located in the arena area.
- Bill #240973: Removing the site of the proposed Sixers arena from the existing Gallery Neighborhood Improvement District because the arena site will be City owned land and therefore not subject to taxation.
- Bill #241062-A: Creation of a new Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District.
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Sixers arena: Mayor Parker gives last pitch as city council to make final vote Thursday morning
Mayor Cherelle Parker makes her final pitch on why she says the $1.3 billion new 76ers arena should be built in Center City as city council is expected to approve the legislation Thursday morning.
If the Sixers arena legislation passes, demolition of parts of the Fashion District would start in June 2026. Officials say construction would start in the summer of 2028 and the 18,500 seat arena is planned for completion in the summer of 2031.
The vote comes a week after a city council committee overwhelmingly passed amendments, including a $60M Community Benefits Agreement paid for by the Sixers to help Chinatown and other communities impacted by the arena.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, who has advocated for the Center City arena plan, called last Thursday's vote a "monumental action" that "extends far beyond basketball." The council committee passed the series of bills 12-4, ahead of the full council vote expected today.
Protesters flooded council chambers during last week's vote, yelling and chanting in opposition of the arena. The vote was scrubbed four different times before they reconvened to pass the package of bill last Thursday morning.
Community groups, including representatives from Chinatown, have expressed fear of being displaced as others opponents criticize the project for being rushed, claiming decisions were made behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, local unions and members of Philadelphia's Black clergy have cheered on the plan, supporting a boost in salaries and an investment in the city.
Mayor Cherelle Parker has also continued to show strong support for the 18,500-seat arena, paid for by the Sixers, who now say they’ll pour more money into a $50 million community fund.
"City Council will continue its communication with the Sixers and, quite frankly, negotiations with them, but nothing is going to change my stance," Parker said last week.
The proposed arena is what the mayor calls a major land use and large-scale economic development project for the city and its NBA franchise.
"Beyond basketball, there is a $1.3 billion private sector project which will breathe new life back into Market Street," Parker said at the final community meeting.