The city of Philadelphia released four separate studies from CSL analyzing the proposed Philadelphia 76ers stadium in Center City. The four reports include: social impact assessment; economic impact analysis; design consulting; and traffic, transportation, and parking analysis.
The Philadelphia City Council's community impact report focuses on two areas: Market East and Chinatown
In terms of community impact, the report focuses on two areas: Market East and Chinatown. According to the study, the impact on Market East is “immaterial” and even without the stadium, the area will still face challenges in terms of development.
However, the report also notes that development can help revitalize the neighborhood if it can solve transportation and safety issues. The full text of the 140-page impact studies can be read here.
Research into the Sixers' potential Center City stadium makes it abundantly clear: Chinatown as we know it will be toast. pic.twitter.com/7TsLMT1Sjf
– Bradford Pearson (@BradfordPearson) August 27, 2024
As for Chinatown, the report says one in five small businesses in the area could benefit. Those businesses are mainly entertainment, food, and hospitality.
Meanwhile, part of the small businesses in Chinatown will not benefit or see a negative impact. The report says there may not be direct housing displacement, but there is evidence of indirect displacement of small businesses, through gentrification.
The Chinatown community is concerned about traffic; Could the Philadelphia 76ers offer incentives to keep people from driving?
John Chin and the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation talked about where their organization stands in the field. “I think this report really underscores the concern that this arena could threaten the sustainability of our Chinatown there,” he said.
Chin says traffic is another major concern of the Chinatown community. Of course, the study finds that there may be traffic problems. If more than 40% attend the arena drive, there may be gridlock around the stadium. The study also revealed that there is enough garage parking to meet the stadium's needs.
Studies involving the Sixers-bankrolled in the #76 Location they are here.
There are a lot of dubious numbers and assumptions in these studies, but social impact studies can't hide the obvious: The stadium could wipe out Chinatown. #SaveChinatown pic.twitter.com/NqgPh2JYRp
— Save Chinatown Philly (@SaveChinatownPA) August 27, 2024
In addition, research indicates that the Sixers should provide incentives for people not to drive. One incentive is free transit passes with each ticket to help ease traffic congestion.
For the economic impact, the study says the stadium could add 53 more ticketed events to Philadelphia. This includes other sporting events and concerts. It could also add $390 million in tax revenue to the city after 30 years of operation. The last part of the reports is about the design, which analyzed the offers released last year.
The design review team praised the design for allowing room for retail opportunities. However, it also calls for developers to create a public open space or plaza around the site.
The Philadelphia 76ers Development Corporation released a statement
The Philadelphia 76ers Development Corporation released the following statement regarding the reports:
“We're reviewing the release and we'll have more to say once we're able to complete a full analysis, but it's clear that they support what we've said since we first announced 76 Place: the venue is worthy. use Center City and it will generate significant new jobs and tax revenue because Philadelphia can support two arenas. Our parking and traffic predictions are coming to fruition, and these findings are further evidence that 76 Place can be developed in a way that protects our neighbors and increases revenue for Philadelphia. “
The reports were not paid for with taxpayer dollars, the city said.
Still, the payments were made by the 76ers, who said the city had no influence on the report. The Save Chinatown Coalition also released a statement about the studies affecting the square.
“The fact that the Sixers signed up for these studies, and failed to disclose that fact by leaps and bounds, says everything you need to know about their credibility. The economic analysis was completed by an expert with a history of flawed data and false assumptions in Philadelphia,” said Vivian Chang, executive director of Asian Americans United and a member of the Save Chinatown Coalition.
“The failure to account for the financial costs of the arena to Chinatown, other areas, and existing businesses tells you how ridiculous and flawed these documents are. As we continue to carefully review these documents in the coming days, it is clear that these are not studies that the public has requested or that the city needs.”
Additionally, the Chinatown Coalition said there will be a rally on September 7 at 1pm at City Hall against the stadium.
Academics who work with the platform and platforms say the studies are flawed, useless, and misleading.
Although these studies seem convincing, academics specializing in field and field finance are not impressed. According to several experts, the research presented in the study is based on stereotypes, biases, and hidden agendas.
In accordance with The Philadelphia InquirerJC Bradbury, an economist at Kennesaw State University, called the CSL report “a manufactured PR document.” He also said that the company “was known to make these employment programs to pay customers.”
“Economists have studied the economic impact of sports facilities for years,” added Bradbury. “They don't get small economic results because spending money on sports is just reusing existing money.”
Bradbury believes these economic impact studies are flawed and misleading. This is because they think that spending money related to the platform will not happen otherwise.
One expert says that none of these types of studies work.
“The research is completely useless,” said Geoffrey Propheter, a professor of public affairs at the University of Colorado-Denver and author of Major League Sports and Property Taxes. “That is not a comment on whether it was done well or not. That's just a comment on the economic impact studies.”
A common problem with economic impact studies is that the findings of the study do not compare the results of the projects with what might happen in other situations.
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