PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The 76ers organization will present new features of its Center City arena proposal at a public Civic Design Review Committee hearing Tuesday morning.
The Sixers’ last meeting with the Civic Design Review Committee in December didn’t go their way. The committee found flaws in the design for 76 Place and suggested they take another shot. The spokesperson for 76DevCorp, David Gould, said new features have been added to address their concerns.
Changes include leaving 10th and 11th streets open before and after games, making tweaks to traffic and parking, and adding retail on the ground floor in response to critiques that the area would be dark and vacant except for game nights. There are two outdoor plazas in the new draft, plus more stores, bars, restaurants, and even an indoor farmers market.
“We’re trying to make sure there is confidence that there will be plenty to do regardless of whether or not there’s an event,” said Gould. “We hope that as more and more people come to the area as a result of going to games, they’ll be encouraged to come back regardless of whether or not there’s anything going on at the arena.
“We really appreciate all the feedback we get because it’s really strengthened the quality of the proposal to date.”
Updated 76 Place design proposal
The city is still waiting for impact studies commissioned last summer, but nothing is likely to sway opponents who don’t want the arena so close to Chinatown.
The hearing is a forum for public engagement. Participation is mandatory for large projects, but the committee’s role is strictly advisory. City Council ultimately will have to approve or vote down the necessary legislation.
This is the final hearing on the 76 Place master plan, but the individual buildings in the plan will undergo further review.