Sixers arena proposal: Inside the final community meeting before city council committee votes

PHILADELPHIA - A meeting in Philadelphia Tuesday night was billed as the last community outreach effort before Wednesday's vote, as Mayor Cherelle Parker makes her pitch to support a new arena for the 76ers.

"Whether you are for or against, you will know where your mayor stands," said Mayor Parker.

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, the 76ers, behind which she has expressed her definitive support.

"Beyond the basketball there is a $1.3 billion private sector project which will breathe new life back into Market Street," said the mayor.

The mayor held this final community meeting ahead of a scheduled vote to move legislation out of city council committee to the full council, one which was scuttled last week.

"This is going to be fate jobs, 9,000 jobs in the city to revitalize Market Street. We want to get it built, get it done," said John Donahue of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

Community groups, including representatives from Chinatown, have expressed opposition to the project fearing they will be displaced. 

Others say the project has been rushed and decisions made behind closed doors. However, the mayor said she has held these meetings to share vital information.

"That’s why I wanted to take this decision-making process on the road, so that no one is unsure about my decision-making," Mayor Parker explained.

Some members of the audience were still not convinced that building the arena on Market Street, bordering Chinatown, is the best decision.

"It’s a vital neighborhood in the city. It’s been there for over 100 years. I think it’s important and there are many other places to build a stadium," said opponent Wilson Klein.

"I don’t know if they’ve had transparency with all that. I think it’s been a done deal and they’ve had it before they announced that everything was in motion," added Rob Gurtcheff.

Community groups say they are still waiting to hear if the 76ers will increase their $50 million community benefit agreement offer.

The hearing on the proposed arena starts Wednesday at 9 a.m. and FOX 29 will be there to cover the developments.