Philadelphia is still trying to process how and why the Sixers reneged on a plan to revitalize Center City with a new arena and instead partner with Comcast to stay in South Philly. While some Philadelphians are relieved, and others are furious, all of us are confused. Here’s a sampling of what we heard on Monday, the day after this news was revealed.
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Save Chinatown Coalition: “This sham of a process laid bare what Philadelphians have long known: Decisions about the future of neighborhoods are not being made by the people who live there or have their best interest in mind, but by a select few who care only about their own bank accounts, and a City Hall that’s bought and paid for.”
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts: “This is a great day for Philadelphia and the fans of our storied sports franchises.’’
Councilmember Jim Harrity: “I’m so livid right now I don’t even know what to do. I feel as though I was used as a pawn.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver: “This new collaboration will result in real tangible benefits for the people of Philadelphia.”
No Arena Coalition: “We were clear from day one that it was dangerous to play in the viper pit with billionaires, but City Hall toyed with the snakes, and they got bit. 12 of 17 Councilmembers turned their backs on decades of research on the false promise of stadium developments, common sense, their voters, and the 70% of Philadelphians who opposed this arena."
Josh Harris, co-owner of 76ers: "Philadelphia will now benefit from two developments instead of one. At the sports complex we will work together to build the very best arena in the country -- a home for the Sixers and Flyers that will bring the most exciting concerts and events to the city all year."
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier: "They [the Sixers] owe the city an apology. This was such a contentious project and debate. It pitted neighbors against neighbors. It pitted the community against labor unions. And all for nothing at the end of the day.”
Wanda Sykes, comedienne and actress, who is working to get a WNBA team to Philly: "I don’t think our odds can be any more favorable [to getting a WNBA team] … And go Birds.”
Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr: “The fact that Mayor Parker & Council Council Pres. Johnson didn’t acknowledge they have egg on their faces and, even more importantly, didn’t acknowledge the pain & turmoil the Chinatown community was put through as a result of this process is mind-boggling.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker: "I don't have the luxury as mayor to have my pride, my ego, or my emotions to drive my decision-making. I am driven by that revenue...I'll let other people Monday-morning quarterback about whether we were pawns in the game."
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson: "I wish you could've actually gotten the deal done before we went through the process. My members and I don't regret the eight hearings, the thousands of hours going back and forth … I could not be prouder of the 12 [council] members who stepped up to the plate and said this is in the best interest of Philadelphia."
Ryan Briggs, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter: "The Sixers arena spin session happening now has gotta be one of the strangest city hall pressers I've ever seen."
Author Brett Mandel: “There’s definitely a ‘when elephants fight, ants tremble' element to this drama. We thought we had a policy debate about mass transit usage and how to animate a sleepy mall, but it was a business dispute about corporate dollars and global influence.”
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