When City Council could take up the Sixers arena proposal

Philadelphia City Council returns for its fall session Thursday under pressure to take up legislation for the $1.5 billion Sixers arena project .

Why it matters: The contentious project that could revive the floundering Market East neighborhood is doomed without approvals from city legislators.

Catch up quick: The council ends its summer break roughly a week after the city released independent studies on the arena project, which offered mixed reviews.

• The studies found the arena would bring jobs , more events and a boost in tax revenue.
• But it's also likely to threaten Chinatown by increasing traffic and property values, the studies say, without much benefit to most businesses in the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, the Sixers' development team, 76 DevCo , has said it needs city approvals by year-end.

• That timeline would ensure the arena will be built and can open in September 2031, after the team's lease at the Wells Fargo Center expires.

Behind the scenes: Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration is drafting a package of legislation for the 18,500-seat arena project, which is expected to address issues like zoning amendments and real estate .

• Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose 1st District includes the arena site and who would introduce the bills, has yet to receive any proposed legislation, per his spokesperson Anne Kelly.
• A Parker administration spokesperson did not respond to Axios' request for comment.

How it works: Squilla will wait at least 30 days before introducing any arena-related bills in City Council to allow for community feedback.

• Community groups are expected to hold public meetings on the bills.
• There will probably be several committee hearings and amendments before any final vote.

Zoom out: With the project in legislative limbo, the Sixers are weighing options to relocate.

• New Jersey officials are trying to lure the team to Camden with offers including potentially $800 million in tax credits , per ROI-NJ.com .
• Delaware Gov. John Carney also made his pitch for the 76ers to build in Wilmington.

The intrigue: Comcast Spectacor is seeking to edge out the Sixers from the arena site, which includes the struggling Fashion District.

• The company recently unveiled a proposal to transform the mall into a biomedical research facility, per the Inquirer .

What they're saying: Mayor Parker told reporters Wednesday that keeping the Sixers in Philadelphia "is a priority," but she remained mum about her stance on the arena proposal.

• "We really need to review the legislation and hear from the stakeholders before taking a position" on the project, Squilla's spokesperson said.

The other side: Mohan Seshadri, a leader of the anti-arena Save Chinatown Coalition , tells Axios that the group will maintain pressure on elected officials to reject the project.

• That includes a rally and march outside City Hall at 1pm on Saturday.
• "This isn't just a bad deal for Chinatown; it's a bad deal for Philadelphia," he said.