City releases four studies on the impact of the 76ers’ planned arena on the city center – NBC10 Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia has released four separate reports analyzing the planned Sixers arena in Center City.

The four reports include: a community impact assessment, an economic impact analysis, a design consultation, and a traffic, transportation and parking analysis.

In terms of community impact, the report focused on two areas: Market East and Chinatown.

According to the study, the impacts on Market East are “ambiguous” and with or without the arena, the area will continue to face development challenges. However, the report also notes that the development could help revitalize the neighborhood if it can solve traffic and safety issues.

As for Chinatown, the report says that one in five small businesses in the neighborhood could benefit. These businesses are primarily in the entertainment, food and hospitality sectors.

Half of the small businesses in Chinatown, however, would not benefit or would even experience negative effects.

While the report says there will be no direct displacement of housing, there is evidence of indirect displacement of small businesses through gentrification.

John Chin of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation spoke about his organization’s position in this area.

“I think this report really underscores the concern that this arena could threaten the sustainability of our Chinatown,” he said.

Chin says traffic is another major problem for the Chinatown community.

And the study concludes that there could be traffic problems. If more than 40% of visitors arrive by car, there could be traffic congestion around the arena. However, there are also enough parking garages to meet the arena’s demand.

The study also suggests that the Sixers should create incentives for people not to drive. For example, free public transit tickets could be offered with every ticket to reduce traffic congestion.

In terms of economic impact, the study says the arena could bring 53 more ticketed events to Philadelphia, including other sporting events and concerts, and could generate $390 million in tax revenue for the city after 30 years of operation.

The last part of the report deals with the design, the rendering of which was evaluated last year.

The design review team praised the proposal for providing space for retail opportunities, but also encouraged developers to create an open public space or plaza on or immediately adjacent to the site.

The 76ers Development Corporation released the following statement regarding the reports:

“We are reviewing what has been published and will have more to say when we have completed a full analysis, but it is already clear that they support what we have been saying since 76 Place was first announced: the arena is an appropriate use for Center City and will generate significant new jobs and tax revenues because Philadelphia can support two arenas. Our assumptions regarding parking and traffic are actionable and these results are further evidence that 76Place can be developed in a way that protects our neighbors and maximizes the benefit to Philadelphia.”

The city noted that the reports were not funded by taxpayers’ money, but by the Sixers, who said they had no influence on the report.

The Save Chinatown Coalition also released a statement on the studies on the impacts on the arena.

“The fact that the Sixers funded these studies and failed to disclose this fact from the beginning says everything you need to know about their credibility. The economic analysis was conducted by a consultant with a track record of faulty data and incorrect projections in Philadelphia. The failure to calculate the financial costs of the arena to Chinatown, other neighborhoods and existing businesses shows how frivolous and flawed these documents are. As we continue to carefully review these documents in the coming days, it will be clear that these are not the studies the community has requested or that the city needs,” said Vivian Chang, executive director of Asian Americans United and member of the Save Chinatown Coalition.

The Chinatown Coalition also announced that there would be a rally and march against the arena in front of City Hall on September 7 at 1 p.m.