PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Sixers and Flyers want the state-of-the-art arena they’re planning to build to be a nod to the past.
The franchises have shared renderings of the exterior of their new arena, which is proposed to be built at the site of the old Spectrum.
The architecture is designed to look like a new-school Spectrum, in that signature wide oval shape. Outside the arena, there’s a half-acre of space that will be turned into plazas, including restaurants and other entertainment for fans.
The teams are calling the arena the city’s “largest fully privately funded project.” They said the new arena will create nearly 15,000 jobs and generate up to $6 billion in economic activity over the next 10 years, with new tax revenue directly benefiting the School District of Philadelphia.
Some fans who’ve seen the new design think it looks cool, though they didn’t have any issues with the 30-year-old Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“It certainly looks futuristic, but seeing a beautiful, newly-renovated arena right across the parking lot, it does feel silly to explore a brand new arena,” said Mike Strauss.
“I think Xfinity Mobile’s great, with the renovations they made there,” said Craig Brown, “so I was always like, ‘Why are they even building this?’”
However, some are just glad the arena is staying at the Sports Complex, like Alex from Delaware County.
“A new one would be nice,” he said. “Definitely opening it here would be better, instead of opening it in the city, just because of the whole gentrification of Chinatown thing.”
The arena is targeted to open in 2030 — ahead of the inaugural season of Philadelphia’s WNBA expansion team. Bill McCabe isn’t so sure they’ll make that deadline.
“It's not feasible,” he said. “I think 2030’s like a good ballpark idea, but I would say maybe 2034 is maybe a realistic timeline. There’s going to be pushback, there’s going to be delays, and maybe actually budget movement too.”
Officials hope to break ground early next year, pending approval from the city.
