The New Jersey Economic Development Authority sent a letter on Monday to Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, the company that owns the Sixers, affirming that the agency, Gov. Phil Murphy and other Garden State leaders are "committed to bringing the 76ers to Camden."
Besides the $900 million in economic incentives that could be offered, the letter even proposes "for low or no cost" transferring parcels of land where the arena and associated residential and commercial real estate could be placed, at the site of the former Riverfront State Prison, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge and Rutgers University–Camden.
Here's how the Sixers responded:
We appreciate Governor Murphy and the NJEDA for presenting a thoughtful and compelling vision for the revitalization and economic growth of Camden, a city we are already committed to through our Training Complex. We have worked tirelessly for the past five years to build an arena in Philadelphia and negotiations remain ongoing with city leadership regarding our proposal at Market East. The reality is we are running out of time to reach an agreement that will allow the 76ers to open our new home in time for the 2031-32 NBA season. As a result, we must take all potential options seriously, including this one.
The letter comes as the Sixers await a go-ahead from Philadelphia and City Councilmember Mark Squilla on whether the proposed 76 Place arena can be built in Center City next to Chinatown, in an area bounded by Market, Filbert, 10th and 11th streets in his district. Squilla said a decision would likely come "in the fall," with legislation on the arena to be shared with key stakeholders 30 days before it's introduced.
The Center City arena proposal has also been met with pushback from neighborhood groups including the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, who say the construction of an arena could hurt the Chinatown neighborhood.
76 Devcorp, the development arm behind the Sixers' arena proposal, says it would bring jobs to the area and that some of the completed residential units would be designated affordable housing.
Do they currently own the arena? If so, take the public funds offered and build in Camden. They redevolpe the property once the old arena is demolished.Rich people problems. SMH.
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