Mayor asks council to repeal a package of arena-related ordinances tied to proposed 76ers project

The chief clerk read a communication from the Office of the Mayor on March 20 notifying City Council that the mayor has submitted ordinances proposing to repeal several bills the council previously approved on Dec. 23, 2024 related to the proposed new arena in Center City.

The mayor's message lists the target bills by number and summarizes their subjects: authorizations facilitating a new arena for the Philadelphia 76ers (Bill 240966); a service agreement (Bill 240967); changes to the city plan and street-strike actions for Filbert Street and portions of Tenth Street (Bills 240968, 240969); right-of-way encroachments near the proposed arena (Bill 240970); amendments to a Market East tax increment financing (TIF) district (Bill 240963); and amendments to a neighborhood improvement district related to the proposed arena (Bill 240973). The message also references prior zoning and sign-regulation bills (e.g., bill numbers 240972 and 240971) connected to the arena master plan and Center City overlay changes.

Why it matters: Repeal of these ordinances would unwind multiple approvals that had been coordinated to facilitate redevelopment in the Market East/Center City area, including zoning changes, streets and right-of-way approvals, and district financing amendments.

Council response and process: The mayor's communication was read into the record by the chief clerk and will be printed and entered in council records. Repeal requires council action; the message informs council and the public and initiates the formal process for amendment or repeal consideration at future sessions.

Ending: Council did not vote on the repeals during the March 20 session; the message was placed into the record and printed for the official minutes.