By Alyssa Tsing and Ashley Anousaya
On October 18, 2023, Jefferson Architecture hosted an event with David Adelman, one of the three major developers of the proposed 76ers Arena project. This project aims to build a new basketball arena north of Market Street, infringing on and gentrifying Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown. At 152 years old, Philadelphia’s Chinatown is one of the oldest remaining in the nation. Sadly, this area has constantly been threatened by large corporations. Due to the strength of the community, residents have defended against large-scale development projects deemed as a threat to the neighborhood for years. However, the proposed 76ers Arena threatens the vulnerable Chinatown once again. Now, against three billionaires, residents and sympathizers are fearful about the endangerment of this beloved and historic neighborhood.
“I think that this is terrible timing considering how long this has been stretched out. Petitions have been going on for years (petitions against large-scale projects built near Chinatown), they have talked about it and suddenly they want to reestablish their arena. Which I think is crazy considering they now have a perfectly fine arena,” says senior Kesia Zachariah.
Sources by @asa.jef
Members of ASA and supporters of the movement to save Chinatown stand outside the Gutman Library to protest against Adelman's plan for an arena.
Jefferson’s Asian Student Association (ASA) has been working with Students for the Preservation of Chinatown (SPOC) to fight against this gentrification for the past few years. One of the leaders of the SPOC, Kaia Chau, contacted the ASA President, Ashley Anousaya, about this event with Adelman the night before and asked for help. On the night of October 17, ASA rushed to its Instagram @asa.jef to inform its members. With the help of other cultural organizations, clubs, and the student body, around 40 people signed up to attend the event, and even more showed up in support and solidarity.
The day arrived and the event began. Security was seen checking IDs in Gutman Library after students already had to tap in with their IDs outside to enter, and many other students showed up to express their support and solidarity. The Gutman Media Room quickly filled up with people, some even sitting on the floor, and the presentation began. Another large group of students was forbidden to go inside the library due to the large attendance. Some ASA officers went back outside to give out signs stating “No Arena in Chinatown.” However, they were not let back into the library as security became tighter and stated no one could reenter until more people left the event.
Those in the Media Room began listening to Adelman’s presentation. In addition to the normal project details, he stated how he prefers to work on older communities and make them into something new, rather than building on empty land because “gentrification is a bigger challenge to overcome.” Furthermore, he stated that his grandfather is a stockbroker and that he now owns the Sixers. He continued to say that “fans deserve a newer, greater, and better arena in order to improve fan experience.”
Source by Alyssa Tsing
During Lunar New Year, people in Philadelphia celebrate in the streets of Chinatown, an area marked by years of cultural history.
“It is incredibly disheartening that Jefferson invited this person to speak on the positives of the arena and therefore show their support for it. It is also incredibly disrespectful that they would not let people into the event although they RSVP’d in advance…Jefferson showing their support for this vile project is a slap in the face and the fact that they will not let their students speak and express their concerns when that is how the event was advertised,” stated senior Angelina Bojarski.
After being asked, “How are you preserving culture and cultural architecture since it's (the arena) close to Chinatown?” Adelman responded with, “Make it feel warmer with art!”
“As for everyone that went, I knew there was tension in the room. This platform wasn't exactly the right place to express everyone’s concerns. This is due to [Adelman] viewing things to expropriate the system and economy for him to have some extra bucks at the end, while we workers receive less and less each day. There is a level of organizational and a homogeneous theory we all must have to collectively act on these issues. Collective action and having a plan is the key,” stated junior Zoe Angud.
This battle has been going on for so long and we, as students, need to support our cultural communities on campus. We need the support of every individual as we fight corporate greed and billionaires who want to gain profits at the expense and exploitation of minority groups.
“Imagine being told that three billionaires plan to put a Madison Square Garden-sized arena right next door to your home or small business.”
To the students who support Adelman and the arena, hear this quote from Asian Americans United: “Imagine being told that three billionaires plan to put a Madison Square Garden-sized arena right next door to your home or small business.” For those who view Adelman as an idol, we urge you to reconsider how the businesses and lives of many people would be affected. By inviting Adelman, Jefferson has given him yet another platform to support the devastating plan for the arena. Our home is being threatened before our eyes, so we do not have the privilege to simply consider both sides.
For more information about Chinatown and the arena, look out for Jefferson’s ASA Instagram, which provides information debunking myths about the arena and other relevant information. Lastly, SPOC has been fighting this movement for years and their page has many resources.
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