Sixers arena proposal: Mayor Parker hears from Chinatown community in packed town hall meeting
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia leaders held meetings Wednesday to address the proposal to build a new 76ers arena at Market East.
The Save Chinatown Coalition will hold a press conference outside the Philadelphia Convention Center Wednesday at around 5:15 p.m. just ahead of Mayor Parker’s town hall meeting at 6 p.m. on the proposed Center City arena.
Both meetings were streamed on FOX LOCAL, FOX29.com, and on FOX 29's YouTube page.
Chinatown community members have protested against the new arena and are calling for Mayor Parker to "be a mayor for the people, and act swiftly to save Chinatown, one of the oldest surviving Chinatowns in the United States," said a press release from the Save Chinatown Coalition.
'Save Chinatown’ holds mass rally, march opposing Sixers plans for proposed arena near Chinatown
Opponents of the proposed plan to build a Sixers arena near Chinatown turned out for a mass rally at City Hall.
Mayor Parker met with Chinatown community members to hear from residents and business owners on the proposed Sixers arena.
The line to get inside the Convention Center for the Wednesday night meeting on the proposed Center City Sixers arena stretched from 13th and Arch to Broad Street.
Back in August, the city of Philadelphia released the four separate reports from third-party consultants hired to conduct analyses of the proposed new Sixers arena in Center City.
"We are sharing these detailed reports so that the public can better understand the implications of such a multifaceted proposed project for Philadelphia," said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. "On behalf of the City, we thank the independent consultants who completed this work. Transparency is a core value to me as Mayor, which is why I wanted to ensure these reports were available to all interested stakeholders. These studies are important inputs as I consider this proposal."
The four reports include the following:
- A community impact assessment
- An economic impact analysis
- Design consulting and
- A traffic, transportation and parking analysis.
Several of these matters were addressed during the town hall meeting.
"I will communicate and listen to any stake holders that is impacted by that decision-making," said the mayor. People were allowed up to two minutes to speak.
"New Jersey is talking about bring out Sixers to New Jersey. No way. I am a die-hard Sixer fan and why should we give New Jersey all that revenue and jobs," said Barbara Cherry who spoke during the meeting. She works at the Fashion District.
Margaret Chin also spoke but against the arena. She is with the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation.
"We vote no on the 76ers Place. Our community have spoken," said Chin as some applauded.
Mayor Parker spoke of the difference in opinions on the arena and requested that everyone be respectful.
"The wrong way to attempt to influence me is to think that you're going to bully me. I do not care where you are. I feel passion, I respect passion," she said to those gathered.
Before the meeting, the Save Chinatown Coalition held a press conference outside.
Annmarie Rubbo was there and is concerned about the community and its history being wiped out.
"Chinatown is part of Philadelphia culture. It has a 150-year history. We do not want to ruin that culture," she said.
A retired doctor spoke about increased traffic and emergency response times.
"This would cause a lot of congestion, grid lock and slow down ambulances even more and put patients’ lives in danger," he said.
Across the street, union members held a rally of their own in support of the arena.
"We pride ourselves at Local 98 on our training and our apprenticeship program but without jobs to attach that to it's really it's no point," said Local 98 Political Director.