PHILADELPHIA — Today, Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) and Rue Landau (At-Large) released the following statement:
“Today we voted against legislation authorizing the proposed 76ers Arena. Barring major changes, we expect to oppose this legislation when it comes up for a final vote next week.
“City Council proposed a strong $100 million Community Benefits Agreement with extensive anti-displacement measures created with input from community leaders. It is deplorable to learn the 76ers and their billionaire owners think our communities are worth only $60 million over 30 years. They recently gave a single athlete $193 million over 3 years.
“The final deal does not do enough to offset the harm the arena will inflict on Chinatown, Washington Square West, the Gayborhood, and communities across our city. The failure to produce a serious traffic plan threatens the future of the entire Chinatown neighborhood, as well as the lives of patients who rely on Jefferson’s Level 1 Trauma Center.
“We have now moved closer to the real possibility of drastic public transportation service cuts citywide. Because the 76ers’ plan does not address the fiscal damage this development will do to SEPTA, the authority is staring down an even larger budget crisis. Not only are the 76ers refusing to cover operating costs associated with their own ridership goals, but they are also cheating SEPTA out of up to $50 million in construction fees.
“The 76ers and the Administration should have more thoroughly engaged the community before transmitting legislation to Council, especially while negotiating the Community Benefits Agreement. The divisive atmosphere around this proposal is a direct consequence of the rushed process they imposed.
“We also denounce the way the manufactured sense of urgency created a divisive atmosphere and flamed tension between our city’s Black and Asian communities. The City must work to repair this relationship.
“The only silver lining in this process has been Council President Johnson and Councilmember Squilla’s around-the-clockwork to bring the 76ers to the table. We are grateful for their leadership and our vote should not be mistaken for a lack of trust or confidence in them.
“This isn’t over. We look forward to working with leaders in and outside of City Council to protect impacted communities during arena construction and operation.”
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