76ers New Arena Plan Spares Chinatown, But Distrust Remains for Project’s Future

Following multiple years of protest against a new arena for the Philadelphia 76ers near Chinatown, an abrupt about-face has left those in the neighborhood with mixed feelings of relief and distrust. Business owners, concerned citizens, and residents criticized the 76ers' previous arena proposal, which they said would have threatened Chinatown's cultural identity. Many in the community who called the process noninclusive said they do not trust developers and officials to hear their voices in the future. “I was very excited. I feel relief,” said Wei Chen, an organizer with the nonprofit Asian Americans United, in an interview with NBC News. “But it was very unexpected. … It was a terrible process, making the community feel more anxious.”  According to a press release issued by the 76ers, the new arena's location change resulted from an agreement between the team's owner, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and pro sports company Comcast Spectacor.  The 76ers and the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team are scheduled to move into a new arena expected to open in 2031 at the current sports complex in South Philadelphia. The companies said they still plan to “invest in the revitalization” of Market East in Center City, the area previously identified for the arena, which sits on the edge of the Fashion District adjacent to Chinatown. The 76ers did not respond to a request for further comment. Bubblefish restaurant owner Xu Lin told NBC News he was stunned when he heard about the change in venue but is overjoyed by the news. “It would have destroyed my business," he said, referencing the disruptions from construction if the arena had been built in Center City. Fariha Khan, co-director of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, told NBC News that while the arena's reverse course is a win for Chinatown, it's unclear whether the community's feedback influenced the decision. “The role that our community organizations played was a significant one. They were so determined, so relentless in making sure that city council and other members of the mayor's office heard their voice,” Khan said. “It was admirable.”