Philadelphia City Council members voted Thursday morning to give preliminary approval to the 76ers’ proposal to build an arena in Center City. The legislation’s authorization to begin the $1.3 billion project is not expected to get a final vote until the Council’s Dec. 19 meeting, its last of the year.
Committee of the Whole voted 12-4 to approve the Philadelphia 76ers’ Center City arena proposal
However, the vote on Thursday in a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, which includes all Council members, guaranteed its passage. The proposal did not receive unanimous approval.
The committee voted 12-4 to approve the arena legislation, with Council members Jamie Gauthier, Rue Landau, Nicolas O’Rourke, and Jeffery “Jay” Young Jr. opposed. Councilmember Kendra Brooks, who also opposed the arena, was not present.
The legislation that was approved Thursday in committee included a $60 million CBA. The 76ers’ new arena is scheduled to open in time for the 2031-32 NBA season, and demolition is scheduled to begin on the East Market Street site in 2026.
The next step in Council’s procedure is for the legislation to get a first reading on the Council floor, which must happen at least one week prior to a final vote.
First reading on the Council floor is required to allow for a final vote
The first reading would have to take place at Council’s meeting Thursday to allow for a final vote on Dec. 19.
Since their lease at the Comcast Spectacor-owned Wells Fargo Center expires in 2031, the 76ers had searched extensively for a new arena over the past few years in hopes of securing a deal.
The Sixers in 2020 first proposed building a new arena at Penn’s Landing, but the team lost out to a mixed-use project that was more in line with what city planners had planned for the site.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers have said they are open to state and federal subsidies.
The city has agreed to allow the team to make payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, instead of paying regular property and use and occupancy taxes. This arrangement will potentially save the team millions per year.
