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Rules Committee moves to repeal arena-related ordinances after 76ers halt Market Street plan
Summary
The Rules Committee on April 14 reported with favorable recommendations three bills (250242, 250243, 250244) that would repeal prior ordinances enacted on Dec. 23, 2024 that had facilitated a proposed arena on Market Street East after the Philadelphia 76ers notified the city they will not move forward with the project.
The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Rules on April 14 reported favorably three bills that would repeal ordinances enacted December 23, 2024 to facilitate a proposed arena on Market Street East. The council committee also voted to suspend the rules to allow first reading of the bills at the next Council session.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, director of legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, told the committee that the Philadelphia 76ers "have notified the city that they will not be moving forward with their plans for an arena in the 1000 Block Of Market Street." The Planning Commission testimony said the bills are intended to repeal measures put in place specifically to facilitate that proposed development and that the Planning Commission will approve the repeal bills at its April 17 meeting in accord with previous policy.
Bill 250242 would repeal ordinance 240972, which amended Market Street East sign regulations in the Central Planning District. Bill 250243 would repeal ordinance 240971, which had created an arena area within the Center City overlay district and included a master‑plan approval for that arena area. Bill 250244 would repeal several ordinances approved Dec. 23, 2024, including ordinances numbered 240966 through 240970 (authorizations to facilitate development, execution of a service agreement, street‑plan changes and right‑of‑way encroachments), ordinance 240963 (an amendment to the Market East Tax Increment Financing district), and ordinance 240973 (an amendment to a neighborhood improvement district in the area of the proposed arena). Brumbelow Burns said the city is taking these repeal steps because the team has informed the city it will not move forward with the project.
Councilmember Scuilla moved that bills 250242, 250243 and 250244 be reported from committee with favorable recommendations and that the rules be suspended to permit first reading at the next Council session; the clerk recorded a second without identifying the speaker by name. The committee voted by voice and the clerk announced "the ayes have it," carrying the motion. The committee's report forwards the repeal bills to the full City Council for first reading and further consideration; the Planning Commission's April 17 action is listed as the Commission's next step.
