Councilmember Mark Squilla cast doubt over whether 76 Place, in its current form, would garner enough votes to pass.
"I don't think there right now is enough votes to pass it out of legislation," Squilla said, according to Jeff Gammage of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Perhaps the biggest issue at hand appears to be that the City Council wants more money added to the $50 million community benefits agreement (CBA) that the Sixers ownership has already pledged.
Per The Inquirer, David Gould — who is the chief corporate affairs officer for the Sixers — has said the team does not plan to increase the money they are pledging to the city as part of the arena, which wouldn't ask for public funding.
So right now, it seems to be a matter of whether the Sixers or enough City Council members blink first.
Mayor Cherelle Parker endorsed the arena plan back in September, despite qualms from a large percentage of those in and around Philadelphia.
As your Mayor, I'm speaking from my City Hall office with a very important announcement. I am proud to share that I have made my decision, and an agreement has been reached to ensure that our Sixers are staying home.
I wholeheartedly believe this is the right deal for the People… pic.twitter.com/Fnj19mrBOV
But while Parker may have something of a bully pulpit, the legislation won't pass without the votes of at least nine of the 17 council members.
Squilla — who has represented District 1 since 2012 — added that "he would be willing to do that" in regards to asking the Sixers to add more CBA funding, per the reporting of Gammage.
It's not yet clear when a vote will take place, or if there will come a point that a vote takes place even if there's uncertainty about whether the legislation will pass.
Image at the top of the article courtesy of 76 Place.
