Sixers arena: Philadelphia city council push important vote on controversial plan to Thursday
PHILADELPHIA - A vote to move bills surrounding a proposed new 76ers arena from committee to full council was postponed for a second time Wednesday as protesters gathered and chanted in council chambers.
On Wednesday morning, city council gathered among chanting opponents to carry out a vote to move legislation to the full council after the scheduled vote was scuttled last week.
However, FOX 29's Jeff Cole reported that the council moved its session on the Sixers arena to 4 p.m. this afternoon "as the votes are not there for a committee vote."
Protesters gathered in the council chambers for the 4 p.m. hearing as well. Shortly after 5 p.m. Council President Kenyatta Johnson arrived on the floor and once again moved the vote for 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
The high-stakes votes come after eight days of public hearings over the past month, where residents and community leaders from both sides voiced their concerns and support for the proposed plan.
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.
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Meanwhile, unions and many 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 on Tuesday.