Camden’s Carstarphen sees Sixers relocation as culmination of city’s effort to transform itself

It’s easy to call the idea of the Philadelphia 76ers relocating to Camden a once-in-a-generation opportunity. After all, it is.

But, for Camden Mayor Vice Carstarphen, it’s so much more than that.

Just the potential of such a move is a recognition of all of the progress the city has made in the last decade-plus, he said.

“We’ve been pushing through, working together, whether it’s building our infrastructure or our schools — or our community policing,” Carstarphen said.

“A lot of people have worked hard over the years to put our community in the right space. This would be a culmination of all the hard work, commitment and dedication that’s been going on in our community.

“This would be like the cherry on top.”

“This” is the proposal that the state sent to the owners of the Sixers late Monday, one that detailed the opportunity to build a world-class arena on a site that also would include commercial, residential and retail offerings.

And, while the Sixers’ parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, would self-finance the transformative project, it likely would be eligible for two Aspire tax credits worth up to $400 million each.

Carstarphen said the impact of the project goes beyond the jobs and economic development it would bring.

Bringing the Sixers to Camden (where the team already has its offices and training facility) would be a branding and marketing opportunity like no other, he said.

“There are so many narratives about Camden that have been put out there for years that we’ve been working to correct,” he said. “Bringing a historical franchise such as the Sixers — a team I grew up rooting for — not only would have an incredible impact on the next generation of fans, it would show the younger generation all that Camden can be.”

For Carstarphen, it’s personal.

A former star at Camden High and then Temple University, he knows the impact basketball can have on the life of one individual. To have basketball be able to impact an entire city — to have basketball bring that city national exposure every time the Sixers play on national TV — is a dream.

“It not only puts a smile on my face, but it puts a tear in my eye,” he said.

To be clear, the proposal outlined by Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, is just that, a proposal.

The Sixers have said their first choice is to stay in Philly. The team and the city, however, appear to be far apart in finding a solution — which has led to the state’s interest.

Carstarphen said he can appreciate the challenges facing his counterpart in Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle Parker.

He didn’t want to speculate on that. Instead, Carstarphen talked up his side of the Delaware River.

“I understand the climate of what’s happening — and I can understand what they’re going through in Philadelphia,” he said. “But, I also know that over here is shovel-ready. We’re ready to get going.

“There are now legs under this idea — and that’s a good feeling.”

The same can be said for the support the idea has from Gov. Phil Murphy and key leaders of the Legislature.

“I don’t think they could find a better partner than this city and this state,” he said.

Carstarphen, however, is clear. This is not necessarily about taking something from a competitor — this is about making the entire region better.

“It’s all love,” he said. “We are one region that works together. All roads and bridges connect.”

He admits, however, that it would be nice to see some gameday traffic on those bridges going in the other direction.

“We’ve been going over there for 60 years or so,” he said with a laugh. “Let me just say this: The same bridges that take us to Philly can bring people in Philly to South Jersey.”