Sixers arena clears major hurdle, setting up final City Council vote
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Philadelphia lawmakers gave initial approval to the Sixers' $1.3 billion downtown arena project a day after delaying a vote to negotiate a better community benefits package.
Why it matters: It's expected to be smooth sailing from here. The legislation, backed by Mayor Cherelle Parker and powerful building trades unions, is likely to pass its final vote next week.
Driving the news: The Committee of the Whole voted 12-4 on Thursday to approve amended legislation that includes $60 million in a community benefits agreement (CBA), per the Inquirer.
- Council members Jamie Gauthier, Rue Landau, Nicolas O'Rourke and Jeffery Young Jr. voted against the legislative package.
Zoom in: The CBA, meant to blunt the impact of the arena in Center City, is $10 million more than the Sixers initially offered but less than a $100 million ask from Council President Kenyatta Johnson — and a $300 million demand from some council members.
- The additional funding increases the amount put toward a special services district — a geographic designation that typically comes with programs to keep an area safe and clean — to $17.5 million, per the Philadelphia Business Journal.
- It also raises to $5 million the amount of aid for businesses that'll be most affected by the arena's construction, plus $3.5 million more for grants to help city youth.
What they're saying: Parker applauded the council's "monumental action" Thursday to move forward the project that "extends far beyond the basketball," per a statement.
- The Sixers tell Axios they're "reviewing the amendments that were added today to ensure they align with our understanding of our agreement with the city."
The other side: Gauthier and Landau said in a statement they intend to vote against the project next week.
- "It is deplorable to learn the 76ers and their billionaire owners think our communities are worth only $60 million over 30 years. They recently gave a single athlete $193 million over 3 years," they said.
- Gauthier acknowledged that it's "very rare" for a final council vote to change from a committee vote, per the Business Journal.
What's next: The final vote is expected to be held on Dec. 19.