Labor union members, Save Chinatown Coalition and others packed into City Council chambers this week in anticipation of proposed legislation concerning a possible Sixers Arena in Center City.
Councilmember Mark Squilla (1st District), whose District includes the proposed site of the arena, introduced 13 pieces of legislation (Bills #240963, #240964, #240965, #240966, #240967, #240968, #240969, #240970, #240971, #240972, #240973 and Resolutions #240999 and #241000) to start the process. Go to https://phila.legistar.com/ to see the arena legislation.
As the Chief Clerk read the bill titles aloud, anti-arena demonstrators disrupted proceedings by chanting and hanging several banners over the glass on the fifth floor viewing gallery while pro-arena supporters joined in with counter chants. The protest lasted around 10 minutes.
Since September, Squilla has gathered feedback from various Philadelphians and community groups on the proposed bills or ordinances from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker before deciding whether to introduce the 76 Place legislation in Council.
Nine bills and two resolutions were drafted by Mayor Parker’s Administration and introduced by Squilla on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District).
Two separate bills were written by Squilla, one of which would create a new Arena Special Services District around 76 Place like the Sports Complex Special Services District in South Philadelphia, which has programs to improve trash collection and traffic issues in the neighborhoods adjacent to the Wells Faro Center, Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park. Squilla’s second bill would remove Chinatown from the Center City zoning overlay.
Squilla was successful in halting any plans the Sixers had to build a $250 million apartment tower above the proposed arena. The announcement was made public earlier this week.
“I would not have introduced the legislation if I did not think I could vote for it,” Squilla said. “I introduced it because I feel there are enough safeguards in place that I could possibly vote for it. I would like to get some more safeguards and do some additional things working with communities, but I wouldn’t’ have introduced the legislation if I didn’t think I could vote for it.”
Now that the Sixers Arena legislation has been introduced, it will be assigned to a yet-to-be-determined Committee by Council President Johnson. The Committee will then have a series of public hearings on the bill, which is expected to be held sometime in November. The dates and times of the hearings will be announced soon. Johnson said all hearings will be held in Council Chambers.
“I want to commend my colleague Mark Squilla who has been working very hard over the past two years in addressing the concerns of his constituents,” Johnson said. “Now that the legislation has been introduced, we will go through our legislative process. We specifically made sure that in our Council calendar we took our time to provide a significant amount of opportunities for individuals who are pro or con on this project to speak and address their concerns. We run a very efficient process in Council, but it will not be rushed.”
Resolutions and bills are voted out of committee by a simple majority of committee members.
After a bill or resolution is voted out of committee, it needs to be read aloud at two different City Council sessions before a final vote is taken. The final City Council session for this year is scheduled for December 12.
The Sixers have said they need approvals for the project by the end of the year — so the arena can open for the 2031-32 season. The agreement reached by the Parker Administration would keep the Sixers in Philadelphia until at least 2061.
A bill or resolution just needs nine of Council’s 17 members to pass. After a bill passes, it goes to the Mayor for her signature or veto.
“GET OUT THE BIKE LANE” AND ALGORITHMIC RENTAL PRICE-FIXING BAN BILLS PASS IN CITY COUNCIL
City Council approved a bill introduced by Council President Johnson that would prohibit vehicles from stopping or standing in any bike lane in Philadelphia.
Bill #240657, known as the “Get Out The Bike Lane”, would penalize stopping, standing, or parking in a bike lane with a fine of $125 in Center City and University City, and $75 in other parts of the city. The bill was introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) on behalf of Johnson.
The “Get Out The Bike Lane” bill will replace the current law, which went into effect in January 2013, that prohibits parking in a bike lane and penalizes parking in a bike line with a fine of $75 in Center City and University City and $50 in other parts of the city.
Johnson’s legislation was introduced in September, two months after the death of 30-year-old Dr. Barbara Ann Friedes, a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash while legally riding in a bike lane bear 18th and Spruce Streets on July 17.
Mayor Parker is expected to sign the “Get Out The Bike Lane” Bill into law. Once she signs the legislation, it would go into effect immediately upon her signature.
Council also approved Bill #240823, a bill that prohibits rental price-fixing in its algorithmic and personal forms. The bill is sponsored by At-Large Councilmember Nicolas O’ Rourke. The price-fixing ban, which garnered veto-proof support upon introduction, is now heading to Mayor Parker’s desk for consideration.
O’Rourke said the impetus for the bill came from many sources including the current struggles of Philly tenants and tenant unions, as well as the documented impact of certain revenue management software services.
Philadelphia joins San Francisco as the second U.S. municipality to enact such a ban.
The other resolutions and bills that were approved on final passage on October 24 were #240887 (introduced by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, At- Large on behalf of Johnson), #240915 (introduced by Councilmember Cindy Bass, 8th District, on behalf of Johnson); #240916 (Bass on behalf of Johnson); #240933, #240934, #240935 and #240936 (Gilmore-Richardson on behalf of Johnson); #240937 (Gauthier); #240748 (introduced by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, At Large, on behalf of Johnson); #240749 (introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young, 5th District); #240812 (Gilmore-Richardson on behalf of Johnson); #240815 (Gauthier); #240816 (Gauthier); #240819 (Introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr, 4th District); #240820 (Jones); #240821 (Young); #240822 (Young); #240824 (Squilla); #240938 (Gauthier on behalf of Johnson: #240941 (Jones); #240942 (Jones); #240944 (introduced by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, 7th District); #240946 (introduced by O’ Rourke on behalf of Johnson); #240947 (Squilla); #240948 (Squilla); #240949 (Bass); #240950 (Bass); #240813 (Gauthier); #240814 (Gauthier), and #240818 (Gauthier).
AT-LARGE COUNCILMEMBER DR. NINA AHMAD’S ELECTRIC VEHICLE BILL WAS SIGNED INTO LAW RECENTLY
Philadelphia Mayor Parker recently signed Bill #240674, sponsored by Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad (At-Large), into law.
The ordinance directs the City’s Department of Licenses and Inspections to ensure structurally safe and fully operational electric vehicle chargers in Philadelphia parking spaces. This codification of this ordinance complies with the final rule for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Standards and Requirements, and it will take effect on April 1, 2025.
THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR A MAIL- IN BALLOT TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER 5 GENERAL ELECTION IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 29. Visit vote.phila.gov/votebymail and apply. Philadelphians who have already received their mail-in ballots can start sending them back now. All mail ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day November 5.
The City Commissioner’s Satellite Election Offices (SEO) across Philadelphia are also open, providing voter registration and in-person mail ballot services. These offices are open seven days a week until Election Day. A full list of SEO locations is available at vote.phila.gov/seos. Mail ballot drop-off location information is available at phila.gov/voting.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pennsylvania voters will select a President and Vice President of the United States; United States Senator; members of the U.S. Congress, Pennsylvania State House and Senate; Pennsylvania Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasurer.
For more information, visit the City Commissioners Website at vote.phila.gov or call 215-686-VOTE (8663).
City Councilmembers have been very busy in the days leading up to the election.
- Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large) appeared on MSNBC TV’s Alex Wagner Tonight show to discuss this year’s president election
- Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large) held a panel discussion on October 24 about what risks generative Artificial intelligence (AI) can pose to elections and the spread of disinformation.
- Council President Johnson attended a nonpartisan youth voter registration at Community College of Philadelphia’s main campaign in Spring Garden on October 21.
- Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson recently participated in a nonpartisan Black Greek Letter Organization Voter initiative to get members of Black fraternities and sororities registered to vote.
COUNCILMEMBER CINDY BASS HOSTS HOUSING WORKSHOP IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA
Councilmember Cindy Bass (8th District) held a housing workshop for constituents in North Philadelphia with more than 200 attendees. She and her team provided resources for first-time homebuying, PHA voucher assistance, rental support, home repair programs, and affordable housing opportunities like Turn the Key and more. Partner organizations in attendance were the Philadelphia Housing Authority, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation.
THE FIRST-EVER US NIGHT MARKET ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
President Johnson and Oshunbumi Fernandez West, founder of Bumi Productions, are presenting the US Night Market on October 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. on South Street, between 21st and 23rd Streets.
Us Night Market celebrates the diversity and creativity of Philadelphia which includes an evening of local food trucks, art vendors, and live entertainment. The Us Night Market will also feature a Halloween costume contest for children under the age of 18 starting at 6:30 p.m. and dog costume contest at 6:50 p.m. Both events will take place at the Main Stage located at 21st and South Street.
MINORITY LEADER KENDRA BROOKS UPCOMING SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN EVENT!
Minority Leader Kendra Brooks (At Large) is back with her Spooktacular Halloween Event! She is hosting a family-friendly fun at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, this Wednesday, October 30th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Featuring a Treat Trail, snacks and apple cider, fall crafts, and archery lessons for ages 8 and over.
TUNE IN ON SEPTEMBER 26 AT 10AM FOR SATURDAYS WITH COUNCIL
The next “Saturday’s with City Council” broadcasts on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1FM in Philadelphia) this Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST. The show is hosted by Communications Director Vincent Thompson and will feature an interview with Councilmember Mark Squilla to discuss the proposed 76 Place Arena and the future of the arena legislation.
THE NEXT COUNCIL SESSION WILL BE ON OCTOBER 31
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall. Tune in by watching Xfinity Channel 64 and Fios Channel 40 if you have cable TV in Philadelphia, stream online at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch or listen to WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
