'Mass car caravan' in Center City simulates Sixers Arena gridlock: Here's what happened
Sixers arena proposal: Opponents hold traffic demonstration & What happens now?
Groups that are in opposition of the proposed Sixers arena to be built in Center City, held a demonstration during evening rush hour traffic Thursday on the same day that city council members voted to approve bills related to the arena. Here's what will happen next.
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's rush hour was an even bigger headache for some commuters on Thursday.
Opponents of the controversial Sixers Arena on Market Street organized a gridlock demonstration to "peer into Philly’s potential arena future, traffic nightmare ahead."
A "mass car caravan" is expected to drive through Center City on Thursday during rush hour to simulate the traffic they say 76 Place will bring to the city.
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"Gridlock is guaranteed if more than 40% of spectators drive — a likely reality given that 85% of spectators currently drive to Wells Fargo Center, the traffic study showed," the No Arena in the Heart of Our City Coalition said in a release.
When and where
The demonstration kicked off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, just hours after city council voted to pass a package of bills for the divisive proposal.
It began at 11th and Market streets, then head west on Market Street, north on 13th Street, south on 15th Street and around City Hall.
"This arena is a disaster waiting to happen for Philadelphia commuters, residents, patients, and emergency responders. There’s no plan to address the guaranteed gridlock it will create," organizers said.
Here's how it went
From honking horns to bumper to bumper traffic, most would say the demonstration appeared to be a regular rush hour in Center City, but upon looking further, some cars had signs warning of an even bigger traffic nightmare.
"What we're about to see is about 70 cars come down this area and that's just a small preview of what's going to come if they build that arena," said Anlin Wang.
He’s with the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance and the organizer of what he calls a mass caravan of cars on Market Street at 11th moving toward and circling City Hall.
Wang says it's to demonstrate the gridlock he says will happen every game day if the new Sixers arena ends up here.
"70 cars is only a small fraction of cars that are going to come here if 18,00 people are for here for each of these home games if they build just a block away from us," said Wang.
Philadelphia 76ers arena proposal passed by council committee; final vote expected next week
Philadelphia City Council has taken a crucial step to help green-light controversial plans to build a new Sixers arena in Center City by passing a series of bills Thursday morning.
"The motion passes for the record," said Council President Kenyatta Johnson.
The passing vote was 12 to four. The community benefit agreement landed at $60M that the Sixers and council agreed on. That's up from the original $50M the Sixers had offered to help Chinatown and surrounding communities.
"I don't understand why we would prioritize a flashy new arena over a special cultural asset that means so much to so many like Chinatown," said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier who voted against the arena.
Also, Mayor Cherelle Parker added $20M for affordable housing.
"That was the deal. No deal is always a perfect deal but through that deal were are still able to address a variety of different concerns of members of city council," said the council president.
While the most vocal supporters have been union workers for the jobs the arena construction would bring, others watching the traffic demonstration this evening don't feel the benefits touted outweigh the risks.
"Guess what? Most of us have never even been to a sports game because we can't afford it. So now how dare they just try to take over our city," said Wanda Payne from West Philly.
"Chinatown is one of the last neighborhoods. I feel for them because it happened to my neighborhood. So if I can speak for them the city can't do this," said Payne.
The council’s final vote will take place next week.