No clear vision emerging for Market East after Sixers arena deal fails
by Chhaya Nayyar and Colette Kearney
With the proposed Sixers arena squashed the future of Market East is hazy. Chinatown residents have one vision and their Councilman Mark Squilla is planning another.
Neither vision is clear.
“There is a task force being assembled that will be charged with putting a plan together for the development of East Market that will include the input and impact on nearby communities,” said Squilla’s office in an email.
Neeta Patel, a member of Asian American United, said that the organization has been working on a proposal since January 2024.
“We brought community members together, we worked with volunteer design students at Penn,” said Patel.
Neither side has spoken or compared notes.
“There are a ton of things we need here, but the city has done a really bad job at communicating to us what is going on,” said Tony Huang, a lifelong Chinatown resident. “Squilla should have community meetings so that we don’t have to protest outside of City Hall.”
Squilla introduced the bill for the Sixers to build the arena that was then approved by city council. Chinatown residents fought hard against the arena which they feared would destroy their neighborhood. Chinatown’s future was spared by the Philadelphia 76ers owners deciding to stay in the sports complex in South Philadelphia.
“The history with Squilla is bad,” said resident Orchid Pham.” I don’t know if he wants to talk to us and to know what we want.”
Market East borders Chinatown, a thriving neighborhood of roughly 20 blocks of restaurants, fruit stands, stores, karaoke bars, and residences. The neighborhood has roughly 4,700 residents.
Large-scale development has a sordid history in Chinatown, beginning in the 1920’s when the privately funded Bell Telephone Tower demolished a block on Race Street, forcing residents out. Throughout the mid-20th century, the city used eminent domain for projects like the Broad Ridge Spur, which demolished blocks of housing in Chinatown.
This Hidden City Map below shows all of the development proposed in or near Chinatown since 1950.
Many residents said they hope to see something focused on uplifting Chinatown businesses.
“Maybe a space for the arts or to support local business,” said resident, Sarah Fong.
Chinatown has roughly 100 business’ including many top restaurants that attract local visitors and tourists.
“I would love to see something for local businesses,” said Huang. “I mean look at the Reading Terminal Market, let’s make an Asian Reading Terminal Market.”
But Xu Lin, owner of Bubblefish Restaurant, worries about unwanted development that does not take the community into account.
“We are very cautious,” said Lin. “In our district we know that every few years the government and developers try to put something here that we don’t want.”
The Philadelphia Convention Center displaced 200 Chinese residents and seven Chinese businesses.
“No one is against development, said Sierra Gbakima, a volunteer for the Save Chinatown Coalition. “They are against the consequences of large scale unnecessary developments, as like a bandaid on somebody that needs stitches.”
Despite losing housing and storefronts, Chinatown saw a steady influx of immigrants and residents in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and expanded south to Arch Street. Chinatown has since become a diverse cultural hub of Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and South Asian immigrants.
Chinatown resident Sam Sam and owner of Little Saigon cafe said he believes gentrification and unwanted development is the largest current threat to Chinatown. Most Chinatown residents are born in America.
According to Redfin.com, the average rent is $1875 for a one bedroom. Like most Asian Americans in Philadelphia, Chinatown residents are renters.
“They should make this community a special district, with lower taxes to protect the community and protect the culture,” said Sam Sam. He has lived in Chinatown for 44 years.
Sam said Chinatown deserves to be protected and celebrated.
“They should build an Asian American Museum there, with weekend activities to bring people into Chinatown,” he said.
Sam said Chinatown’s future is in the hands of its youths who need to protect their community that often finds itself in the target zone for massive development.
“We’re encouraging our young people to speak up, speak up, make your voice heard,” he said. “What I’ve learned about this country is that otherwise they won’t pay attention to you.”