A civic group has taken a Switzerland-like stance on whether a new NBA arena should come to its Center City Philadelphia neighborhood.
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After months of meetings with team owners and other stakeholders, the nonprofit neighborhood group Washington Square West Civic Association issued a statement to “not to take a position” on the proposed 76 Place set to remake part of Market Street in the area, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday.
The decision not to decide comes as a survey it conducted this past winter indicated nearby residents generally view the arena project negatively.
“As we grapple with the potential for both positive and negative impacts on the Wash West community, including the cherished Gayborhood and Midtown Village, we've had multiple heartfelt discussions among our board members,” the group announced late Thursday afternoon. “In the end, we've decided not to take a position on the proposal at this time.”
If built as planned, the 76 Place arena and apartment project would fall within the association's borders, spanning from Broad to Seventh streets and South to Market streets. Some fear the plan could cause displacement.
The arena, to be built over seven years, would eliminate part of the Fashion District and sit adjacent to Chinatown — a hotly contested location that has opponents charging it would cause gentrification and push immigrant communities out.
The Washington Square West group's winter poll showed residents are opposed to the project. Asked whether the team should move to their part of town, 77% of respondents said no, with just under 13% of residents in favor of the project. The group said the survey “speaks volumes about the sentiment within our neighborhood.”
“This decision was not made lightly,” the board wrote.
The lack of a stance “reflects our desire to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to secure the best possible outcomes for our beloved neighborhood.”
The group met with the team and other stakeholders for months before arriving at its conclusion, the board said. While the civic group is staying out of the fight for now, some opponents of the arena project called the lack of a stance an abdication of responsibility.
In an interview with the Inquirer, Board Member Katie Dillon Low painted the 76ers as a “propaganda operation,” adding “its shills in government or quasi-government should not be allowed to overtake the lives and livelihoods of regular, working-class Philadelphians.”
“Just because they say it will be good for us does not mean it is good for us,” Low said.
The $1.5B arena plan has been evolving, and 76 Devcorp, the entity formed by the team to lead the arena effort, has offered to spend $50M on a community benefits agreement — a contract spelling out the benefits the community would receive in return for allowing the NBA team to break ground in their front yard.
The proposal faces opposition. The 1st and 2nd wards and Ward 39A in South Philadelphia, as well as Franklin Bridge North Neighbors and Center City Organized for Responsible Development, have gone on record opposing the project as it is proposed.
76 Devcorp declined to comment. The Washington Square West Civic Group didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
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