Photo via 76 DevCo
Several members of Philadelphia City Council spoke out following Sunday's revelation that "76 Place" — the Sixers' project for a new arena near Chinatown — was being abandoned following a deal between the franchise and Comcast Spectacor to build a new arena in South Philadelphia.
Jamie Gauthier of District 3, who voted against 10 different bills pertaining to "76 Place" in late December, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that "it is clear that we should have never trusted the process in the first place. This development proves that the project was half baked."
"We should never be in a position where we are relying on the Sixers or any other corporation to plan our city. It's the city's responsibility," Gauthier continued. "Our Planning Commission and many other agencies and players that work directly for the city have the responsibility to engage the citizens in a vision for the future."
Gauthier, who represents a significant portion of West Philadelphia, did not stop there. "They don't respect us, they don't respect Council, they don't respect the mayor, they don't respect the citizens," she told The Inquirer.
The project has obviously been quite polarizing, leading to various tense meetings involving the city's administration and affected citizens before voting on the necessary legislation commenced.
Gauthier went on to claim that city resources were wasted and trust was breached. "They never should be able to do it again," she said.
Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O'Rourke — who opposed the Center City arena — referred to Sunday's news as a "historic win and a testament to the power of organizing".
"Anybody following this issue closely could clearly see this was a power struggle between billionaires and corporations," the two said in a statement posted to X.
"Their plans can change on a whim, and these latest developments are a clear example of why the Major and Council should never waste precious time and resources prioritizing billionaire projects over the work Philadelphians elect us to do. And who knows how much time we'll have to waste now undoing what Council just did?"
Mark Squilla of District 1 had a more charitable view of the developments. "I'm OK being used in that process. This might end up actually being the best-case scenario. We can reimagine Market Street without an arena, have people committed to investing in it and still have a new arena in South Philly," he told The Inquirer.
That served as a sharp contrast to what was offered by Jimmy Harrity, an at-large councilmember. "I'm so livid right now I don't even know what to do. I feel as though I was used as a pawn," he told The Inquirer. Harrity supported the plan for "76 Place".
On Pattison did not receive comment from the Sixers despite multiple inquiries. Mayor Cherelle Parker, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Comcast Spectacor have yet to make on-record comments about the news.
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