Abandoned plans, political fallout | Morning Newsletter

Morning, Philly.

The political fallout came swiftly after news broke that the Sixers had abandoned their just-approved plans to build a basketball arena on East Market Street for a new deal with Comcast Spectacor to build one instead in South Philly. Below, catch up on the latest details on the deal.

And an Inquirer investigation reveals that despite widespread abuse in juvenile institutions, Philly still locks up kids at a rate seen in few other cities.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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As details emerge about the Sixers’ reconfigured arena plans, plenty of questions remain.

What are the political implications? Mayor Cherelle L. Parker defended her months of advocacy for the original arena proposal, even as she called the updated plans “a curveball.” Critics say she wasted political capital by aligning with an entity that ultimately did not include her in their decision making.

How did Adam Silver get involved? The NBA commissioner was instrumental in ending the feud between the Sixers’ billionaire owners and Comcast’s billionaire executive that prompted the new arena proposal in the first place. He was motivated by the belief that having two competing Philadelphia arena projects — one in Center City, one in South Philly — would be detrimental to both the city and the teams.

What about the community benefits agreement? The Sixers in December agreed to provide $60 million worth of community benefits intended to offset the Center City project’s impacts on surrounding communities and support city programs. Parker said the city is still committed to revitalizing East Market Street and supporting Chinatown, and that they will “start from scratch” on a new agreement.

What is David Adelman thinking? The Sixers co-owner and 76 Place lead developer once called the Center City pitch a “no brainer.” Now, he says the South Philly plans will create a “better fan experience.” Here’s what he’s said in the past and where he stands now.

Philadelphia locks up kids at a higher rate than other big cities, and about four times the national average. Even while the city has reduced the number of teens sentenced to institutions by 80% in the past decade, it remains an outlier.

Within Philly, Black teens are 20 times more likely to be sentenced to institutions than white youth.

“We as a system have decided that Philly kids — Philly kids being a code word for Black children from specific areas of the city — somehow need harsher punishments,” one youth advocate told The Inquirer.

Reporter Samantha Melamed details the consequences of the city’s reliance on detention and placement, despite widespread institutional abuse, and extensive research linking youth confinement to worse outcomes.

Out of step: Cities nationwide are turning away from juvenile institutions. Our interactive explainer illustrates how Philly has fallen behind.

Centuries of confinement: The first juvenile correctional institution opened in New York in 1825, and Philadelphia followed three years later. Ever since, a system to save youth often put them in harm’s way. Our timeline details 200 years of locking up children in America.

To commemorate his family’s love for the Macy’s Christmas Light Show, a Philly dad got what tattooed on his left bicep?

A) The Wanamaker Building’s Grand Court Organ

B) The show’s four dancing snowmen

C) The entire light show design

D) Julie Andrews

Think you know? Check your answer.

📖 Reading: Inner Excellence, Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s sideline book. (It’s since hit No. 1 on Amazon — and gotten some funny reviews from Eagles fans.)

💨 Smoking: Stogies from the top cigar lounges in the Philly region.

✈️ Traveling: PHL like a pro, with these tips from frequent business flyers.

🍸 Drinking: These actually good non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January.

Hint: Popular sandwich-forward Philly restaurants in the midst of a trademark dispute

LIDDED MILCH

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Bob Jesson, who solved Monday’s anagram: Newtown Square. The Delaware County township’s Aronimink Golf Club is preparing to host the 2026 PGA Championship — and to clear-cut about 10 acres of trees to accommodate the crowds. Some conservationists aren’t pleased.

💚 One last green thing: Reader Lisa Peyton-McNeill sent in this photo of the pro-Birds Philly skyline. “I took it while driving through Center City Friday night lamenting the closure of Macy’s (former Wanamakers),” she wrote. “The view of the skyline lifted my spirits so I snapped it while at a red light.” To lift your spirits higher, see our story about the excellent vibes from Sunday’s win against the Packers.

Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday. Back at it tomorrow.

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