Sixers Arena: Skilla Promotes Special Services District

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On Thursday, Mayor Sherell Parker will deliver a legislative package to the City Council containing the permits the Sixers need to build a new arena downtown. However, it is unclear when these bills will be introduced.

Councilman Mark Squilla said Tuesday he is still in talks with the administration over the contents of the package. While much of the language has remained the same since the bills were posted online last month, Squilla wants to add a provision for a community-run arena district.

“Whatever (residents) deem necessary to offset some of the problems associated with the development,” Squilla said in an interview. “But it will be completely dictated and controlled by the people in that district — the board of that district.”

The Council will become a new organization. The district would cover a yet-to-be-determined geographic area around the arena and could implement programs similar to those run by the Special Services District, Squilla said. Special services districts often have programs aimed at keeping the area clean, safe and well lit.

Neighborhoods like these have become commonplace, especially over the past decade. The goal is to give the community some flexibility when it comes to running the arena.

For example, the South Philadelphia Sports Complex Special Services District has programs to improve sanitation and recycling, landscaping, traffic and streetscapes within the district.

Created in 2003, SCSSD is funded by Comcast Spectacor, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies, who donate a total of $1 million annually to the district.

Squilla said the new district could be funded by the arena itself or through the community benefits agreement the Sixers committed to as part of a broader agreement with the city.