Where the Sixers arena plan stands at 2 years
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A rendering of the Sixers' proposed arena. Rendering: Courtesy of City of Philadelphia/Gensler
The Sixers' pitch to build a $1.5 billion arena in Center City hits its second anniversary this month with little to show beyond slick renderings and millions of dollars spent on lobbying.
Why it matters: The transformational project can potentially turn around the struggling Market East neighborhood but has divided residents and fueled concerns about quality-of-life issues and displacement.
State of play: All eyes remain on PIDC. The public-private development agency has yet to complete independent studies on the economic and community impacts of the plan, known as 76 Place.
- Key legislators and officials have said they're awaiting the completion of those studies before moving forward, including with legislation needed to kickstart the project.
The intrigue: The studies are a half-year behind schedule and span two mayoral administrations.
What they're saying: PIDC spokesperson Kevin Lessard tells Axios there's no timeline to finish the studies.
- "More time than expected has been necessary due to the complex nature of the work and to ensure that the reports are thorough and responsive," he says.
Amanda Conte, a spokesperson for project developer 76 DevCo, declined to respond to questions about whether the delay was affecting the viability of the plan.
- City spokesperson Joe Grace tells Axios that Mayor Cherelle Parker will make up her mind about the proposal when she's confident "all of the due diligence she has requested has been completed."
Catch up quick: Sixers owners have said they're determined to own their own arena rather than rent space from Comcast Spectacor, their landlord at the Wells Fargo Center.
- Their goal: Open the new arena for the 2031 Sixers season when the team's current lease with Comcast Spectacor expires.
- Sixers co-owner David Adelman has said there is "no Plan B."
📐The latest design: After revisions, the team's plan now includes an 18,500-seat arena, a 20-story residential tower, street-level retail open throughout the year and a pedestrian promenade.
- The city's advisory Civic Design Review committee has been unimpressed with the proposal, questioning the long-term use of the public space outside of game days. One member called the design "undercooked."
"I don't think as a city we just need to accept this as our fate," committee member Ashley DiCaro said during an April hearing.