Outbursts lead City Council to postpone final committee meeting on Sixers arena

Its been a long and winding road for the proposal that could bring a $1.3 billion dollar 76ers arena to Center City Philadelphia.

And, it will be just a little longer.

Just as City Council began its final Committee of the Whole hearing on the bills that would make way for the construction of the arena, those on both sides of the issue shouted outbursts that cause the hearing to be delayed.

The hearing was paused almost immediately after it began so negotiations between the arena developers and city council could continue.

The hearing will now be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at City Hall and will be open to the public. Though, officials have said, there will be no public comment during this hearing.

"We're still going through the process, addressing issues and concerns of members and hopefully we'll wrap this process up tomorrow," Philadelphia City Council President Keyatta Johnson said after the hearing was postponed Wednesday.

Johnson said they could vote on the arena plan without an agreement from the Sixers, but they want to work in partnership with them.

According to NBC10's Lauren Mayk, who was at the hearing before it was postponed on Wednesday, councilmembers planned to ask developers to double the proposed $50 million that has been previously proposed to be included in a Community Benefits Agreement with the proposal.

At a recent hearing, some members of council suggested a higher figure -- as much as $300 million -- to be included in a CBA, in order to help sway their opinions on the plan.

At that same meeting, developers of the plan suggested they would be willing to consider adjustments to the $50 million figure, though $300 million would likely be a no-go.

The question remains, how much are the Sixers arena plan developers willing to go up in the CBA agreement?

A new proposal would raise that from $50 million to $100 million. According to Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council, that money would benefit the entire city.

“This is just a bad deal for Philadelphia, even if the city is increasing the CBA. It’s been way too rushed," Dan Winikur, No Arena Coalition, said.

“Any number that comes up people are going to say it’s not enough. We are sensitive to their issues and concerns, but it’s not just the people of Chinatown but the city of Philadelphia as a whole," Council President Johnson said.

NBC10 reached out but has not heard back from the Sixers about the new proposed number.

“We have a choice to make right now, tomorrow morning. Either we fix the city, move it forward, or we’re stuck," Mark Lynch, IBEW Local 98, said.

City council needs nine votes for any deal.

Wednesday's hearing follows weeks of hearings on the proposal that would bring a Sixers arena to the intersection of Market and Filbert streets at 10th and 11th streets.

City Council's Committee of the Whole has been hearing from concerned residents, developers and experts on elements of the plan since Nov. 12, 2024.

If the bills package for the arena is voted out of the committee, it would still need to be read before City Council twice -- at two separate Council stated meeting sessions -- before any possible final vote can be taken by the full City Council.

This means the plan could be read for the first time before a Council meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 and a final vote on the plan could be held on Dec. 19, 2024.

Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st-dist.) introduced 13 pieces of legislation on October 24 to start the arena discussion process.