76 Place: Results from four studies on the impact of the planned 76ers arena in Center City Philadelphia published

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The city of Philadelphia released the results of four environmental impact studies analyzing the planned 76ers arena, 76 Place, on Monday evening.

If built, 76 Place would be located on Market East, bordering Chinatown.

The four reports include a community impact assessment, an economic impact analysis, a design consultation, and a traffic, transportation and parking analysis.

“We are sharing these detailed reports so the public can better understand the impacts of such a multifaceted project for Philadelphia,” Mayor Cherelle Park wrote in an online statement.

Initial analyses suggest that the arena could generate approximately $1.9 billion, 700 new jobs and $390 million in additional tax revenue over time.

However, the plan continues to face fierce resistance within the city.

Vivian Chang, executive director of Asian Americans United and member of the Save Chinatown Coalition, sent Action News the following statement:

“The fact that the Sixers funded these studies and failed to disclose this fact from the beginning says everything you need to know about their credibility. The economic analysis was conducted by a consultant who already has a track record of faulty data and incorrect projections in Philadelphia. The failure to calculate the financial costs of the arena to Chinatown, other neighborhoods and existing businesses shows how frivolous and flawed these documents are. As we continue to carefully review these documents in the coming days, it will be clear that these are not the studies the community requested or the city needs.”

While the results did not mention financial impacts, the studies suggested that Chinatown’s core identity could be significantly diminished or lost as many small businesses and low- or fixed-income households could be displaced by gentrification.

“The impact study states that the project could add to existing vulnerabilities. The study summary found no benefits for Chinatown,” said John Chin, executive director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, in a comment on the study.

Action News reached out to the Philadelphia City Council and Council Member Mark Squilla, who represents the region.

He said he was not yet ready to make a statement, but in the past Squilla had said he could support the project.

“I’m not sure yet because of the impact on the surrounding communities. Yes, I could support it,” he previously told Action News.

The Save Chinatown coalition has announced that it is planning a march and rally in front of City Hall next week to protest the planned arena.

To read the full results of each impact report, visit phila.gov.