COUNCILMEMBERS GAUTHIER AND LANDAU ISSUE STATEMENT AFTER 76ERS ABANDON PLAN FOR CENTER CITY ARENA

PHILADELPHIA – Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) and Rue Landau (At-Large) released the following statement:

“Today’s news is a win for both vulnerable communities and our city. It also confirms that 76DevCo was not engaging the City in good faith.

“At the end of last year, we voted against the arena after working with our colleagues and all stakeholders to vet the project. Our vote reflected our belief that there were too many unanswered questions and too few resources to offset the displacement of Chinatown, funding for SEPTA, accessibility to a Level 1 Trauma Center, gridlock, and much more.

“We’re glad that the Sixers will remain in the stadium district where they best belong. But the way they reached this decision reflects a profound lack of respect for City leaders, stakeholders, and residents. It was shameful for 76DevCo to pit working-class Philadelphians against one another and pressure City Council to consider a half-baked proposal on an artificially rushed timeline.

“We now have the opportunity to thoughtfully reimagine Market East, which desperately needs revitalization. The City should create a Market East master plan in close partnership with the surrounding community before moving forward with any other major development projects. If the City does not step up and take leadership over the reimagining of Market East, we will continue to be the feeding ground for billionaire developers who, as we have seen today, will always put their interests above Philadelphia’s.

“As details of the new projects in South Philly and Market East come to light, the Sixers can regain our trust by delivering the promised union jobs and minority contracting opportunities and working closely with labor and the community.

“We are grateful for the tireless advocacy of Chinatown and the fierce coalitions across our city over the last two years. Your voices will always be heard and valued by our offices.

“From the beginning, we have engaged in this process earnestly. We will continue to work with our Council colleagues, the Parker Administration, the community, labor unions, and the Sixers to do what’s best for our city.”

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