Letters to the Editor | Dec. 20, 2024

Philadelphia is open for business. That was the message City Council sent by approving the 76ers’ $1.3 billion arena proposal, with its $60 million community benefits agreement for nearby neighborhoods and a $20 million commitment for affordable housing in Chinatown.

Despite relentless negative media coverage, common sense prevailed, with a clear Council majority deciding that this historic investment outweighed any drawbacks. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and Councilmember Mark Squilla deserve congratulations for a transparent process and the courage to put the city’s interests first. The arena’s biggest benefit is the opportunity to bring more economic activity to the struggling Market East corridor while providing 9,000 construction jobs and the hundreds of workers who will work in and around the new arena. A new facility that brings 18,000 people downtown will have positive economic effects. The arena’s location makes it easy for attendees to access nearby restaurants and small businesses before and after events, contributing to a more prosperous trajectory for our Center City.

Mayor Parker and Council’s efforts to make the Sixers arena work for Market East and Chinatown are commendable and send an important message about their commitment to economic growth for our city. Of course, it will take more than one big project to revitalize the area, but this kind of can-do spirit from our leaders in the face of intense pressure is exactly the approach we will need to deliver on Parker’s vision of pathways to opportunity for all Philadelphians.

Mo Rushdy, president, Building Industry Association

There was no reason to rush to vote on the Sixers arena. The billionaire team owners, who don’t even live in the city, are only interested in money, not the welfare of East Market Street or the rest of Philadelphia. This matter was too important not to take all the time necessary to get complete information on the impact, positive and negative, the arena will have. That includes available parking, how the city will manage congestion when ambulances are trying to get to Jefferson Hospital, and how Pennsylvania Convention Center events would be affected.

Naturally, the team owners didn’t want to have to pay another year of rent at the Wells Fargo Center, but that was not the city’s problem. The problem is that the members of City Council have let themselves be bullied and yielded to the schedule the owners demanded. Council should have been in no hurry while there was still so much to consider before making the final decision.

Ronald Kaiserman, Wynnewood

I wince every time I read that Kamala Harris is responsible for the enormous Democratic defeat in November. In the most confusing of times, she carried the mantle and stressed that we have more in common than the issues that divide us. However, what was not faced by those managing her campaign was that for years the Democratic Party has been losing touch — taking for granted the millions of constituents it had relied upon.

The reasons for this are extremely complicated and will be closely analyzed. To me, leadership existed in a bubble of assurance that they were undoubtedly the best and the brightest and wanted no input from those of us in the trenches who tried mightily to communicate with them about the support they were losing.

What unsettles me most is that Harris is being largely castigated for not abandoning her loyalty and throwing President Joe Biden under the bus. In essence, she is being scapegoated when she should be deeply thanked for her example of character, her enormous effort, and her devotion to each of us and the rule of law. My dream is that before Biden leaves office, he will award Harris the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The ceremony would take place before Jan. 20 and serve as a reminder that until that time, and although he doesn’t seem to realize it, Donald Trump is not our president.

SaraKay Smullens, Philadelphia

Columnist Helen Ubiñas takes the city to task for a lack of Spanish speakers in the police department and other city agencies. Her piece focused on a Spanish-speaking couple whose restaurant went out of business, which she substantially blames on the language barrier and myopically finds fault with everyone except the owners. There is no argument that proper communication is essential, but Ubiñas fails to acknowledge that there is also a responsibility for non-English speaking residents to learn to navigate the language of their chosen home.

Sure, the process will be arduous for some, but so is moving to a new country and running a business. A quick look at the vast number of thriving immigrant entrepreneurs shows the results of resilience and determination. Ubiñas’ demand for more interpreters is fine in principle, but impractical. As she herself notes, Philadelphia residents speak more than 100 languages. The couple whose story prompted the column were known for their seafood dishes. How about teaching them to fish?

J. Savage, Philadelphia

President Joe Biden should immediately direct the national archivist, who is responsible for the certification and publication of constitutional amendments, to publish the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA, first proposed in 1923, would guarantee equality between men and women. It has been ratified by 38 states as required by the Constitution. Yes, some states did so after the congressionally imposed deadline. The Constitution, however, imposes no deadline. If Biden acts, court challenges will likely follow, but there is an excellent chance the ERA will be upheld. There is no downside to Biden doing this, while the upside to our democracy and his legacy could be huge: enshrining gender equality in the Constitution.

Rich Hluchan, Cherry Hill

The Philadelphia Historical Commission’s recent deadlock over listing the Roundhouse on the city’s historic register is a blow to architectural history, preservation, and sustainability. The former Police Headquarters, vacated in 2022, won’t be protected under the city’s preservation ordinance and could face demolition. We cannot allow that to happen.

Designed by the acclaimed Philadelphia architecture firm GBQC and completed in 1962, the Roundhouse is a world-renowned example of Philadelphia School modernism, featuring innovative use of precast concrete and a unique curved design. The building’s creation was inspired by progressive ideals under Mayor Richardson Dilworth, who wanted to relocate the police department from the basement of City Hall and foster a healthier relationship with the community. However, over time, the Roundhouse became a symbol of systemic injustice.

Despite this complicated history, its future holds promise. Its architectural significance, structural integrity, and location make it an ideal candidate for adaptive reuse. The building’s physical condition is strong, with 90% of its structure made from durable precast concrete, supporting sustainable redevelopment. A 2023 study commissioned by the city found community support for preserving and transforming the building into a welcoming space.

Additionally, the larger site offers potential for mixed-use development such as affordable housing and commercial and community spaces. The Roundhouse’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places would enable valuable historic tax credits to support its rehabilitation. We urge the Parker administration to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Roundhouse, integrating principles of restorative justice into the process. This strategy has recent precedent. The landmark Provident Mutual Life Insurance Co. building at 4601 Market St., long a vacant city-owned building, now houses health-care and educational facilities. Repurposing the Roundhouse could transform it from a symbol of past harm into a beacon for a more equitable future.

Rebecca Johnson, AIA Philadelphia chapter, Paul Steinke, Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, Eli Storch, Design Advocacy Group, and William Whitaker, Docomomo US — Philadelphia chapter

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