After two long years, the fight to Save Chinatown and stop three billionaires from building a basketball arena in Center City is reaching a fever pitch. Thanks to YOU, the developers behind this bad faith project are burning time and money. Now it’s time to send a clear message to City Council that Philadelphians want them to move on from the arena conversation, and focus on the things that actually help to their constituents.
This is a fight to Save Chinatown, the last working class community of color in Center City. But it's also bigger than any one neighborhood.
Sports arenas have a long and ugly history of exploiting communities of color. Black, brown, and immigrant neighborhoods across the country have been displaced and erased by sports arenas.
Arenas rely on low-wage, part-time, seasonal service workers—jobs that keep Black and brown folks stuck in a cycle of poverty.
The billionaires behind the 76 Place plan to not pay property taxes—so the city would be giving up up to $270M in tax revenue we need for our schools.
Harms from the arena could cost Philly and Pennsylvania $1 billion in lost tax revenue, hurting local businesses, workers, and families.
The truth is, if one neighborhood can be steamrolled, anyone can. Every Philadelphian deserves a say in the decisions impacting us and our neighborhoods, because the city belongs to the people—not developer profits.
There has never been one arena that has transformed a city for the better, and their impact is clear: Developers prey on neighborhoods of color, while regular people suffer the negative impacts. Philly has a chance to take those lessons learned and do better, but we can’t send alone.
RSVP today for the march on September 7. This fight is winnable—but not without you.