China Town

To Save Chinatown, Philly Struggle Beats Back The Billionaires

January 14, 2025 Betsey Piette, Workers World. Resist! China Town, Displacement, Gentrification, Philadelphia, Stadium, Victory

Philadelphia - The Save Chinatown Coalition, representing over 245 organizations, and the overwhelming 70% of Philadelphians polled in 2024 who opposed plans by the 76ers basketball team to build an arena in Center City, has cause to celebrate. The Philadelphia Inquirer leaked the news Jan. 12 that an agreement was reached for the team to remain in the stadium district in South Philadelphia. According to posts on X, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Comcast Spectacor President Brian Roberts talked the Sixers into staying in the current location. After a two-year struggle to stop it their planned 76 Place in Chinatown is off the table.

Philadelphia Arena: ‘$50 Million, $100 Million, The Whole Thing Is A Sellout!’

December 18, 2024 Joe Piette, Workers World. Resist! China Town, Gentrification, Philadelphia, Solidarity, Stadium

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - For over two years, a growing movement has fought to stop the proposed construction of 76 Place, a basketball arena in Philadelphia that would threaten the existence of Chinatown, the last community of color in Center City. It’s the people against the billionaires. A poll of city residents revealed 70% disapproval of the arena at that location. The struggle is also against the billionaires’ government. There’s the federal government, where billionaires get what they want no matter which party is in office.

Despite Fierce Opposition, City Council Introduces Billionaires’ Arena Bill

November 2, 2024 Joe Piette, Workers' World. Resist! China Town, Class Struggle, Gentrification, Philadelphia

Which side are you on? That’s the question being asked of 17 Philadelphia City Council members over the next few weeks. On one side are several billionaires proposing a $1.55 billion 76ers basketball arena next to the Chinatown community in Center City.

Inside The Fight To Save Philly’s Chinatown From A New Arena

January 17, 2024 Justin A. Davis, Waging Nonviolence. Organize! China Town, Gentrification, Philadelphia, Stadium

Since the summer of 2022, the city of Philadelphia has seen a fierce battle over the home of their professional basketball team, the 76ers. Currently located at Wells Fargo Center on Philly’s south side, economic power players have been shopping around a proposal for a new 18,000 seat arena called 76 Place, which would move NBA games to the city’s bustling downtown core (known as Center City). With a billion-dollar price tag, 76 Place represents a partnership between team owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer and real estate mogul David Adelman, who have argued that the arena would create new jobs, raise tax revenue and revitalize a part of downtown that many see as full of untapped potential.

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