Council members at Philadelphia City Hall continued to hear testimony Wednesday about the plans for the 76ers’ proposed Center City arena.
Members of the public and experts took to the microphone to make their case to city lawmakers on Day 4 of the hearings.
On Wednesday afternoon, a panel of physicians and medical groups testified before the council opposing the plan, including former Philadelphia Health Commissioner Walter Tsao. The panel has spoken concerns about traffic problems for people going to Jefferson Hospital.
“Common sense should tell you that 10th Street is just two lanes going down that street,” Tsao said. ‘Don’t know. Are you going to have the police block off all the surrounding roads like they do at festivals and so on, and how will that make traffic congestion even worse if they do that? So I just think the idea of the 10th Street corridor is a fantasy if you go to a Sixers game and expect people to find parking.”
Another panel of real estate developers and investors who support the plan argued the arena would revitalize Market East.
One person who didn’t take a side was Paul Levy of the Center City District. He discussed some of the things that have been tried in the area and what could make the Sixers’ proposal different.
“Conventions can happen in that space, concerts can happen in that space,” Levy said. “But they have already proposed building two residential towers across the street. The more we live and work downtown, the more successful we will be.”
Levy was clear that he wanted to see it Chinatown advantage too.
Ultimately, council members will have to decide on this proposal.
Councilman Jeffery Young, a Democrat who represents parts of North Philly, said there has been no movement among the Sixers’ owners to have meaningful conversations with community members.
“At this point, my position remains the same as before,” Young said. “Right now, I would vote no on it.”
Meanwhile, at-large council member Jim Harrity, another Democrat, said he would vote yes on the project.
“I stand with my union brothers and sisters to bring some more work to the city of Philadelphia,” Harrity said. “A five-year job is no joke. Students would complete their entire apprenticeship program on it.”
Another public comment session is scheduled for Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m
