Activists in Philadelphia's Chinatown are breathing a sigh of relief after a long-fought battle against the proposed construction of a new arena near their community. While the sudden reversal of the plan is celebrated as a victory, it also highlights the need for more inclusive development practices in the city.
After years of protests against a plan to build a new arena for the NBA’s 76ers near Philadelphia’s Chinatown, a sudden reversal in those plans has left the neighborhood’s activists breathing a little easier -- but also feeling a sense of whiplash and distrust.
Organizers, leaders and residents in the area say they’re heartened that the previous plan, which was heavily criticized for its potential to gentrify the Chinatown area and push out Asian American businesses and families, will no longer threaten their community. But after what many said was a noninclusive process, they also do not trust developers and officials to hear them out in future proposals. \“I was very excited. I feel relief,” said Wei Chen, an organizer with the nonprofit Asian Americans United. “But it was very unexpected. … It was a terrible process, making the community feel more anxious.” \The 76ers did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment. But in a 2022 interview, David Adelman, an entrepreneur who’s leading the arena project for the team, said he had been involving locals in the plans. “Almost each day since we’ve announced, we’ve had a meeting with a different group within the community,” he said. The announcement, the 76ers said in a press release, comes as a result of an agreement struck between their owners, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and pro sports company Comcast Spectacor. The 76ers, along with hockey team the Flyers, are scheduled to move into a new facility that’s expected to open in 2031. Meanwhile the companies said they still plan to “invest in the revitalization” of Market East in Center City, the area where the arena was previously planned for, and that’s on the edge of the Fashion District, neighboring Chinatown. \Xu Lin, whose restaurant Bubblefish opened in Chinatown roughly a decade ago, said he first felt stunned with “disbelief” by the arena news, before dissolving into tears of joy. The restaurant, he said, is just a half block away from the proposed arena site, and the construction, traffic and noise from the project would have kept customers away. “It would have destroyed my business,” Lin said. Though he said he feels a bit of a reprieve, he’s also uneasy about what’s to come. Lin said he’s not confident that developers and officials will take the community into consideration for any future plans in the area. “I have zero trust in them. I don’t think they engage the community in any meaningful way,” he said. \Many organizers also brought up how the emotional distress inflicted on residents could have been avoided if developers and officials listened to Chinatown locals early on. “There was not an inclusive process to hear the community’s voice,” Chen, whose group was part of a coalition to oppose the arena, said. “Why did you have our community suffer with this nightmare?” In a press conference, hosted by the coalition on Monday, Mohan Seshadri, executive director at the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, echoed a similar sentiment. “We are so proud and happy and relieved that Chinatown, a 150-year-old community, will continue to stand strong,” Seshadri said. “But let’s be clear, it didn’t have to be like this. None of this had to be like this when we said, two and a half years ago, that this arena was the wrong site, the wrong location for a project like this. That it was going to destroy Chinatown.”
CHINATOWN PHILADELPHIA ARENA DEVELOPMENT ACTIVISTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GENTRIFICATION
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philadelphia Mayor Scraps Arena Deal, Focuses on Chinatown and Market Street RevitalizationPhiladelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced the cancellation of the controversial arena deal with the 76ers, paving the way for a new community benefits agreement. The city will now focus on revitalizing East Market Street and supporting Chinatown, with commitments to ensure Black and brown, and women-owned businesses have a voice in the new development.
Read more »
Sixers Arena Plan Scrapped, Chinatown Celebrates VictoryAfter years of debate, the Philadelphia 76ers have abandoned their plan to build a new arena in the Market East neighborhood. The decision, made just one day after the initial plan passed City Council, brings relief to Chinatown residents who feared the project would destroy their community. While some community leaders regret the time lost, the move to South Philadelphia is seen as a win for both the team and the city.
Read more »
Philadelphia 76ers and Comcast Strike Arena Deal in South PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to build a new arena in South Philadelphia with Comcast Spectacor, abandoning their previous pursuit of a Center City location.
Read more »
Philadelphia 76ers Choose South Philadelphia for New Arena, Partner with ComcastPhiladelphia 76ers, in a stunning reversal, will build a new arena in South Philadelphia with Comcast Spectacor, abandoning their previous downtown plan. The new arena is slated for completion by 2031.
Read more »
Chinatown Triumphs: Sixers Cancel Center City Arena PlansAfter months of intense opposition from Chinatown residents and activists, the Philadelphia 76ers have officially abandoned their plans to build a new arena in Center City. The team has instead opted to construct a new arena in their existing location in South Philadelphia. This victory for Chinatown comes after widespread protests and concerns that the arena would have negatively impacted the neighborhood.
Read more »
Beloved Philadelphia Chinatown Restaurant Closed Due to Steam LeakSang Kee Peking Duck House, a popular Chinatown eatery, has been forced to indefinitely close after a steam leak from external infrastructure posed a public safety and electrical hazard. Steam is escaping from the sidewalk and into the restaurant's basement, prompting the closure and evacuation of the building. City officials are working with various departments to identify and resolve the issue, but a reopening timeline remains unknown.
Read more »