The Philadelphia 76ers has been courting elected officials and policymakers behind closed doors for more than two years. Axios Philadelphia recaps:
The Sixers’ pitch to build a $1.5 billion arena in Center City hits its second anniversary this month with little to show beyond slick renderings and millions of dollars spent on lobbying.
Why it matters: The transformational project can potentially turn around the struggling Market East neighborhood but has divided residents and fueled concerns about quality-of-life issues and displacement.
State of play: All eyes remain on PIDC. The public-private development agency has yet to complete independent studies on the economic and community impacts of the plan, known as 76 Place.
Key legislators and officials have said they’re awaiting the completion of those studies before moving forward, including with legislation needed to kickstart the project.
The intrigue: The studies are a half-year behind schedule and span two mayoral administrations.
What they’re saying: PIDC spokesperson Kevin Lessard tells Axios there’s no timeline to finish the studies.
76 Place social media team has not posted on X/Twitter in more than six weeks.
Who will be the first to say goodbye to the billionaires’ scheme to make more money on the backs of taxpayers in the poorest big city in the country?
UPDATE: 76 Place is back posting on X/Twitter. David Adelman is regurgitating already debunked factoids.
PHL Watchdog 