PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Some preliminary, procedural legislation for a proposed arena in Center City ran into unexpected headwinds in City Council on Thursday.
Council voted on two resolutions — to dissolve the tax structure and Community Benefits Agreement for the Gallery, now the Fashion District. Neither directly affects the proposed arena, but they clear the way for new agreements, should Council decide to pass the substantive legislation for the project.
The resolutions passed, but opponents lined up to try to defeat them as if they carried real weight.
Debbie Wei, from the Save Chinatown Coalition, clearly saw this as an important test.
“There is no reason to rush this process when so many questions remain outstanding. Is this the public process you laud while it is our lives and our communities at stake?” she said.
“People are attempting to sell off the city to the lowest possible bidders. Who will you stand for?”
From Vivian Chang, executive director of Asian Americans United: “This disgraceful deal does nothing for our city, our youth.”
From activist Lorenzo Cannon-Umstead: “Our city should not be pushing through a bad deal that mostly benefits the elite and wealthy developers.”
They moved the needle … somewhat. Resolutions normally pass on a voice vote, but there were enough votes against that members voted individually.
Five council members ended up voting no. The two Working Families Party members have already come out against the arena, so their votes were no surprise. And three — Jay Young, Rue Landau and Jamie Gauthier — said they’re still undecided but agree there’s no hurry.
“I really object to the process,” said Gauthier, emphasizing that she is still undecided. “Nay.”
Landau said she needs more information.
“For the reasons of the process moving too fast and needing to spend more time — I have a list of questions that have been submitted, more are being submitted — I’m going to have to vote nay too.”
Council has promised there will be several public hearings before it votes on the bills that would actually permit construction. They will begin on Nov. 12.