In a press release published on Thursday, the Sixers announced their desire to build a new hall in order to be able to play there by 2031. An economic, strategic, but also political project, due to the new location of the arena, which should be right in the center of Philadelphia. So they only have a few more years left to win a ring at the Wells Fargo Center. Good luck.
It’s an announcement that breathes summer. Far from the deadlines of the Free Agency, training camps or even the next season, the Sixers formalized their desires elsewhere this Thursday via a press release. Housed at the Wells Fargo Center since 1996, the latter should leave it in 2031, when their lease will expire, to move into a brand new room. But where ? The answer : in downtown Philadelphia, right in the heart of the city. Inspired by Madison Square Garden among others, the 76ers plan to settle on the current site of the Fashion District, which will have to be partly demolished to allow the construction of the future lair of the bells. Located south of the city, the Wells is no longer suitable for managers who believe that it is not well enough served and does not have enough places to park nearby. However, we must specify that this project remains… a project. Nothing is done, because it is for the moment a simple proposal, although it is obviously very advanced. On the other hand, in terms of the concrete, the owners of the franchise Josh Harris and David Blitzer announced the creation of “76Devcorp”, a company which will be in charge of the development of the operation. The company will be chaired by Philadelphia-born real estate magnate David Adelman.
Sixers $1.3 billion arena for 2031 in Center City
“We’re committed to building a world-class home in the heart of the city, a privately-funded arena that strengthens ties within the community through investments that prioritize equity, inclusivity, accessibility”
-Josh Harris pic.twitter.com/4k1hvPf95N
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) July 21, 2022
If it were to materialize, the project should cost around 1.3 billion dollars. As a reminder, the Chase Center of the Warriors had cost him 1.4 billionett, and this new room should accommodate 18,000 seats, almost 2,000 less than Wells Fargo. As far as the planning is concerned, it is first of all necessary to examine the applications of private companies for the construction of the ” 76 Place“, future name of the arena. Because the franchise has been very clear, the city of Philadelphia must not participate in the project, which had already refused a move to the Penn’s Landing district in 2020. However, if all goes well, demolition should start in 2026 and the first works in 2028. The other objective of the owners is also to ” revitalize downtown from Philly. With 1.9 billion dollars generated and 9,000 jobs created by 2031, then 400 million every year from that year according to a study, the project wants to be part of a win-win approach with the local community. , creating a post-COVID dynamic that would allow downtown Philadelphia to live again. The mayor of the city has also welcomed this decision on Twitter. Located at the edge of Chinatown (see map below), it will nevertheless be necessary for the leaders to remain attentive to the demands of the inhabitants of the district who do not all see this arrival with a good eye, and had already had an attempt canceled. of similar construction in the 90s.
While it is not yet known whether the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), with whom the Sixers currently share the Wells Fargo Center, will also join 76 Place, it is for now very likely that in ten years the NBA will have moved to downtown Philadelphia. It is therefore time to win a ring for gentlemen Harden and Embiid otherwise, in 2031, the rear will be 42 years old and a beard up to his knees, while at 37, Jojo will already be in a walker.
Source texte : RealGM / NBA / CBS