Chinatown fears community, business loss in 76ers arena plan

By CLAUDIA LAUER
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Organizers and members of Philadelphia’s Chinatown say they were surprised by the 76ers’ announcement that they hope to build a $1.3 billion arena just a block from the community’s gateway arch. They say no one reached out for community input before the announcement. Now, they fear that they’ll be merely a stepping stone for people visiting the arena and that real estate values will price out older and immigrant residents. Chinatowns throughout the U.S. have been under threat from gentrification or development over the years. A spokesperson for the arena development company says that the process is in its infancy and that they planned to work with the community.