The 76ers Center City Arena Will Dramatically Kill Center City! (Philadelphia: renters, homes)

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by FindingZen

To be clear: on a good day, I can walk to the Fashion District/Gallery. So as a fan of the Sixers and the likelihood that concerts and events may choose to come to a new state-of-the art facility, it would be in my best interests to support that location. However, I continue to agree with MSE and others that it would be a death knell for Chinatown. Even if the business purveyors don't all live in the neighborhood, many Asian-Americans still do. Walking through there the other day reminded me of how important a hub it is for the AA community. I still support the idea of building it across the street anywhere along the southside of the 800-1100 blocks of Market Street, save the US Court House, of course

Why, again, would it be a death knell for Chinatown?

I cannot understand why this argument exists.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Why, again, would it be a death knell for Chinatown?

I cannot understand why this argument exists.

It makes zero sense beyond Debbie Wei using the actblue Helen Gym-affliated network that landed her editorials in the NY Times and The Guardian to spread that message. If there's one thing I took away from the recent election, is these people have enormous media influence (w/ people who read stuff like the new york times).


Just an FYI too: Operations are wrapping up at the 1001 Filbert Bus station and it will be an abandoned building by next winter. They got permits to move the bus station to 6th and Market with the ticket office taking one of those random storefronts next to the dunkin donuts. Do we really want to argue against the redevelopment of an abandoned bus station?

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Why, again, would it be a death knell for Chinatown?

I cannot understand why this argument exists.

There might be an initial bump in business for the Asian restaurants in the vicinity. But the presumed popularity of the arena would also entice retail and residential interests that don't have the established community in mind. It's inevitable IMO that present business and homeowners will be enticed or compelled to sell while renters will be forced to leave.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by FindingZen

There might be an initial bump in business for the Asian restaurants in the vicinity. But the presumed popularity of the arena would also entice retail and residential interests that don't have the established community in mind. It's inevitable IMO that present business and homeowners will be enticed or compelled to sell while renters will be forced to leave.

So they would be enticed to sell because the price was so good? But they could choose to not take the offer?

How would renters be forced to leave?

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

It makes zero sense beyond Debbie Wei using the actblue Helen Gym-affliated network that landed her editorials in the NY Times and The Guardian to spread that message. If there's one thing I took away from the recent election, is these people have enormous media influence (w/ people who read stuff like the new york times).


Just an FYI too: Operations are wrapping up at the 1001 Filbert Bus station and it will be an abandoned building by next winter. They got permits to move the bus station to 6th and Market with the ticket office taking one of those random storefronts next to the dunkin donuts. Do we really want to argue against the redevelopment of an abandoned bus station?

Are you crazy? What if they put in something so awesome that it attracted more people to the area? Can you imagine the outrage?

I'm starting a petition to keep the old bus station vacant. Helen. Will you sign??

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

...Just an FYI too: Operations are wrapping up at the 1001 Filbert Bus station and it will be an abandoned building by next winter. They got permits to move the bus station to 6th and Market with the ticket office taking one of those random storefronts next to the dunkin donuts. Do we really want to argue against the redevelopment of an abandoned bus station?

This is huge. Are they gonna knock that garage down on Market? I'm not sure how that would work?

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by Redddog

This is huge. Are they gonna knock that garage down on Market? I'm not sure how that would work?

I think the garage is staying. NJT stopped using the Filbert station last year because they said the buses couldn't turn out of the lot since new sidewalk bollards were installed. NJT straight up just pulls up in front of the Strawbridges building and picks people up now. Though it is a good question of how that would work with boarding and stuff with more ticketed type traveling.


A little timeline:
2019, the station is sold to an undisclosed source: https://www.phillyvoice.com/center-c...-station-sold/
2022, plans for the sixers to aquire the station become public: https://thelibertyline.com/2022/08/0...-bus-terminal/
2202, US Rep Dwight Evans says they're working with greyhound to find alternate site and that the lease is up in "a couple years": https://www.inquirer.com/business/si...-20220802.html

2023: New permits and listings for a greyhound ticket office at 6th and Market

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Are you crazy? What if they put in something so awesome that it attracted more people to the area? Can you imagine the outrage?

I'm starting a petition to keep the old bus station vacant. Helen. Will you sign??

jfc, she probably will become a full time anti-arena activist lol. let's pray not.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Redddog

So they would be enticed to sell because the price was so good? But they could choose to not take the offer?

Sure, some may decide their community ties aren't as strong as the allure of a big payday. Others might be forced out when property taxes rise dramatically as their homes become more valuable.

How would renters be forced to leave?

When landlords raise the rent due to the arena turning the community into a prime real estate market. As it is, a lot of Asian seniors have already been moved to the John Fox (formerly Sidney Hillman) subsidized apartments over on 22nd off Market St. That would surely accelerate.

I have no idea what percentage of residential and business landlords in Chinatown are Asian. I have less confidence in those who aren't that they would endeavor to preserve the current integrity of the community.

[Redddog]

So ya put a moratorium on raising rents. Boom. Errybody happy.