On the morning of December 19th, the Philadelphia City Council finally approved the legislation for the construction of a new stadium in the city center for the 76ers team. The Mayor of Philadelphia promised to “ensure that Chinatown not only survives but thrives”.
Before the meeting, a small group of people chanted anti-stadium slogans and blew whistles, some rushed onto the floor of the council hall, leading to a delay of over half an hour as several individuals were escorted out by the police for refusing to leave. Following the incident, all 17 council members voted on 11 bills, with most bills receiving a majority support of 12 to 5, giving the green light to this controversial project.
The $1.3 billion development plan for the 76ers’ new stadium with 18,500 seats received endorsement from Mayor Parker.
During a subsequent press conference, Mayor Parker expressed gratitude for the council’s efforts, stating, “I’m pleased that our 76ers stay at home.”
She said, “Today is not a day for high-fives or large gatherings or celebration, but a day to recognize this critically important economic development project for Philadelphia.” “The $1.3 billion is not a direct city investment, but is expected to bring in $700 million in tax revenue for our city and school district. A $60 million community benefits agreement that will invest not only in Chinatown but also in critical foundational projects for providing key services to the people of Philadelphia.”
Parker excitedly stated, “This is the biggest payment Philadelphia and the school district have ever received, and we should be proud of it. This project will create thousands of job opportunities, whether during the construction phase of the stadium or after its opening, these jobs will provide economic opportunities for our city’s businesses and diverse enterprises.”
Parker made a strong commitment to protecting Chinatown. She said, “We will ensure that Chinatown not only survives but thrives. Chinatown, we will make sure this is our responsibility to work with you, we will make sure you are not harmed by this project.”
Parker mentioned utilizing the revenue from this investment to improve Philadelphia, address public safety issues, tackle the opioid crisis, and overcome all challenges faced by the city.
She said, “Sixty-seven percent of the revenue we collect will be used for operations and service provision, for housing, for public education, for anti-violence. All funds we allocate in the budget come from commercial taxes.”
The Fashion District demolition project is set to begin in June 2026, with construction expected to start by the end of August 2028.