Council member Squilla calls proposed new Sixers arena a “viable project” after release of environmental impact studies

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia City Council member who is expected to play a key role in approving or rejecting the Sixers’ proposed new arena in the city’s Market East neighborhood said the plan would be feasible after the release of environmental impact studies for the area.

The studies indicate that traffic congestion and traffic jams in the already cramped Chinatown will pose obstacles to the construction of the new home of professional basketball, called 76 Place.

Mark Squilla could hold the key to the 18,500-seat arena the Sixers plan to build in the Market East neighborhood on the edge of Chinatown.

As a regional council member, he would push legislation to bring the $1.5 billion facility, funded by the team’s owners, to life.

But the impact assessments released by the city on Monday evening also point to the potential loss of small businesses, the displacement of low- and fixed-income residents and a loss of Chinatown’s cultural identity. Opponents are striking.

“The reality is: If this arena is built, there will be no Chinatown in Philadelphia anymore. It will be gentrified, people will be displaced, low-income people will no longer be able to live here,” says Vivian Chang, a member of Asian Americans United, a group that opposes the arena.

The study examines dollars and cents and comes up with an economic boost of $1.9 billion from construction and 30 years of operation, but assumes $390 million in new tax revenue, well below the team’s forecast of $1.5 billion.

The Sixers said Tuesday that different calculations would increase tax revenue to $1 billion.

According to studies, the use of public transport by fans (at least 40%) is a key to success.

FOX 29’s Jeff Cole asked Squilla if he thought the project could move forward based on the studies he had seen. He said, “Yes, I think it’s a viable project. I think there’s still some work that needs to be done to move forward.”

Opponents say they will take up the fight with rallies and resistance in front of City Hall, starting with an event on the first Saturday in September.

“The community impact study says Chinatown is under threat,” Chang said.

A Sixers spokesman told Fox 29 that the organization is closely examining the studies and will respond in detail in the coming days.