PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Neighborhood advocates who fought to keep an arena away from Chinatown are celebrating the Sixers’ decision to stay in South Philadelphia.
“We are so proud and happy and relieved that Chinatown, a 150-year-old community, will continue to stand strong,” said Mohan Seshadri, executive director of Pennsylvania's Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, at a press conference Monday afternoon.
But now that there will not be a 76ers arena in Center City, what's next for Chinatown?
Comcast Spectacor says it will invest in a project that “reimagines” Market East—and business leaders in Chinatown say they want their views considered more earnestly this time around.
A community impact study commissioned by the city last year found the 76 Place project would have contributed to displacement and loss of cultural identity—and that’s exactly what the people of Chinatown don’t want.
“Rather than just try to glamorize Market East, you have to empower what we already have,” said Mya Son, manager of QT Vietnamese Sandwich. She says an arena would have sapped Chinatown of the culture that sets it apart from other neighborhoods.
“Having more whitewashed type of food that’s not authentic that we have to make—for you to force us to do that is crazy. It’s like throwing a polar bear in a jungle.”
Michael Chow owns Sang Kee Peking Duck House on 9th Street, and says whatever does get built at Market East should play into the culture of Chinatown.
“It’s related to the culture, and that’s what people like. They want to see something different. Not just like a big box, like a regular shopping center,” Chow said.
“The attraction [could be] like a night market, and people can go there after work at night, bringing the traffic to the city, to Chinatown, and that would be good for everybody.”
City decision-makers aren’t necessarily mindful of what Chinatown is looking for, says Jack Chen, owner of Bai Wei on Race Street.
“The people outside the community, they’re probably not quite understanding what we need,” he said.
Son says she feels burned by Philadelphia leadership.
“The City Council members that did vote for the arena should honestly step down. You left us high and dry,” she said. “And the same people that are voting are gonna be the same people that get to vote for whatever goes there again.”
No matter what the new project is, Chen says, what matters most is having a seat at the table.
“Hopefully our voice will not only be heard, but will be considered as well.”