Quote:
Originally Posted by McBane
Agreed 100%. We don't need an arena in Center City. But....as a catalyst for the Schuylkill Yards or to energize the area immediately adjacent to 30th Street? I wouldn't be against that. Fun to think about, but I agree it's not happening soon and most likely the stadiums/arenas remain where they are (but maybe closer to the subway).
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Yea I guess I don't see a downtown arena in the same light as many here. Generally I think the sports complex is a good idea, although it could certainly be improved. I thought the Chinatown Phillies stadium was a terrible idea, and even though it's not even downtown, I'm not a fan of the Temple stadium plan. I generally agree with the assertion that a few people here have made that placing sports venues in downtown areas is generally done in struggling cities with plenty of empty space downtown and they generally aren't very successful.
BUT. A basketball arena is the one sports venue that I'm not opposed to. Of the 4 major american sports, it is by far the smallest playing surface, even a hockey rink is almost 4 times larger. So obviously Basketball Arenas can be made comparatively much smaller than the venues for the other sports. That means they don't have to break up the urban fabric and can easily fit on a standard city block. Plus if done correctly, an arena needn't only be active and vibrant on a game day. By virtue of a basic arena design, with seats rising in height as they move further away from the court, that leaves plenty of room at street level, beneath the highest seats. That space can be utilized by bars, restaurants, etc in order to insure a vibrant scene at street level. Also the idea that it takes up space that could otherwise be used for skyscraper I reject entirely. There is still plenty of room for skyscrapers in Center City, this really isn't a concern for the foreseeable future. So honestly I don't see a major negative in a downtown basketball arena.
And besides the lack of major negatives, no one here seems to be mentioning the positives. The sports complex is great, but as we saw with the DNC, it's not always advantageous to have all of your arenas so far from Center City. A downtown arena would be an asset to the convention center and would make booking large conventions easier. It would also create a large performance space for concerts that Center City is lacking. Data on the positive economic benefits of such sports venues is largely overstated in order to acquire government funds and subsidies. But it would be foolish to say there is no positive economic impact for the surrounding area. Thousands of people coming from around the city and beyond to a Center City arena would certainly bring an influx cash into local businesses.
So yes, I'd be against government subsidies going to any sports arena project. But assuming the 76ers foot the bill themselves, and don't pass the burden onto the taxpayers, I actually think it may be a good idea.
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