The Save Chinatown Coalition, an umbrella group representing more than 200 organizations, is expected to show up in force to voice opposition to the arena. The coalition, which held a protest march on Saturday, views the proposal as an “existential threat” to the 150-year-old neighborhood.
“What we really want to know coming out of this is, ‘What is it going to take for Mayor Parker to stand with the people of this city? Does she work for us or does she work for the billionaires who own the Sixers?’” said Chinatown resident Jenny Zhang, an organizer with the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, a prominent member of the coalition.
The meeting will unfold as the Sixers seek the approvals the franchise needs to start demolition and construction.
City Council returned from the summer recess last week. The team has said it needs lawmakers to authorize the arena by the end of the year for the 18,500-seat facility to open for the 2031-2032 season when its lease expires at the Wells Fargo Center. That process largely hinges on Parker’s support for the project. Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district includes the proposed site, has said he will introduce enabling legislation on behalf of the administration if Parker backs the development.
Squilla has not said whether he supports or opposes the project.