76ers back off Center City arena proposal, will stay in South Philadelphia: sources

In a shocking decision, sources say the Sixers have decided to abandon plans to build a new Sixers arena in Center City, opting to stay in South Philadelphia.

The news comes nearly a month after City Council passed a series of bills paving the way for the proposed "76ers Place" to be built downtown after years of heated debate between city officials and residents.

With the arena gaining final approval, demolition of the Fashion District was set to begin in June 2026 and construction of the arena was expected to follow in the summer of 2028. 

However, those plans will now take a turn, as sources tell FOX 29's Jeff Cole on Sunday that the team will remain alongside the Eagles, Phillies and Flyers in South Philly.

Philadelphia labor union IBEW LOCAL 98 called the new agreement a "significant win" in a statement:

"IBEW Local 98 and our partners in the Philadelphia Building Trades have worked diligently with the 76ers throughout this protracted process. This new agreement between the 76ers and Comcast is a significant win for the 76ers, Comcast, our members and the entire City of Philadelphia. The Stadium District in South Philadelphia will be dramatically enhanced and expanded, providing the 76ers with the new state-of-the-art arena the team needs and deserves. Comcast has also pledged to commit the financial resources needed to revive the dormant Market East corridor, which is critically important to the entire city. For IBEW Local 98 and the Trades, a $1.3 billion project just turned into a multi-billion development that will create a stunning new stadium district that will keep our members working for decades."

Related

Sixers arena: City Council approves Sixers' Center City arena plan

Philadelphia City Council approved 11 bills that approved a plan for a new Sixers arena in Center City. Construction of the 18,500-seat arena won't begin until 2028, and won't be completed until 2031.

Councilmember Kendra Brooks, Minority Leader of Philadelphia City Council and Council Member Nicolas O'Rourke, Minority Whip Leader, released the below statement Sunday calling the change of plans a ‘historic win.’ 

Councilmember Jamie Gaultier says the Sixers decision to pull out of building in Chinatown is a real victory.

"I’m just sorry that we had to go through such a difficult contentious process which pitted community against community and neighbor against neighbor to get here," Jamie Gaultier, Philadelphia City Council. 

The No Arena in the Heart of Our City Coalition sent FOX 29 the following statement in-part:

"We’re relieved to hear that the nightmare of a Center City Sixers arena will not haunt our city any more. To every Philadelphian who called, marched, testified, and warned City Hall that this was a raw deal: This win belongs to you, and the lesson for politicians is to trust the people. To the five Councilmembers who stood on the right side of this fight: We will not forget. Over the past two years, Philly built a movement not only to save Chinatown, but to defend our entire city from predatory billionaires who saw us for a profit playground, and tens of thousands of Philadelphians showed up. When some said it was a done deal, this movement stayed true, committed to a different kind of city. We were clear from day one that it was dangerous to play in the viper pit with billionaires, but City Hall toyed with the snakes, and they got bit."

The No Arena Coalition will hold a Save Chinatown press conference on Monday at 12:30 p.m. at Friendship Arch in Chinatown.

The Sixers' plan to build an 18,500 seat arena in the Market East neighborhood, on the edge of Chinatown, was rolled out by the team more than two years ago. 

In public hearings, opponents from Chinatown railed against the plan, while construction unions-in line for jobs-pressed for passage. 

"This is not Chinatown against the Black community or the city. This is a chance for the community to have an opportunity they never had before," said Catherine Hicks of the NAACP.

PAST COVERAGE: 

The bills passed with overwhelming support, while opponents dropped leaflets from above and vowed the fight was not over. 

Mayor Cherelle Parker, a strong supporter of the Sixers arena, celebrated the vote, saying "City Council has taken momentous action on this 1.3 billion dollar economic plan for Philadelphia that extends well beyond basketball."

City officials are expected to hold a press conference Monday morning.

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