The image shows a state-of-the-art arena in Camden, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge. One that is surrounded by public space — including a dock area that could accept ferry service. One that is next to large mixed-use buildings that could be a mixture of corporate space, retail and multifamily housing. One that has a perfect view of the Philadelphia skyline.
The rendering is meant to be attention-grabbing. After all, it’s the latest effort in the state’s now steady push to persuade the Philadelphia 76ers to relocate to Camden.
To be clear, the rendering is just that, a rendering. But it speaks volumes about what the facility could be — and the state’s interest in bringing the Sixers there.
That’s how Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, sees it.
“The rendering frames up very nicely the potential transformative impact that this project could have on the Camden waterfront,” he told ROI-NJ. “You see a beautiful arena, but, just as importantly, you see new residential, new office space, new restaurants.
“No matter what the final product might end up looking like, you can see it’s transformative — and that the best view of the Philly skyline is from the Camden waterfront.”
The Sixers already have their corporate headquarters and practice facility in Camden. When it became apparent that the Sixers were running into roadblocks in their attempt to get a new arena in Philadelphia, the state stepped up its game.
Last week, the EDA went public with a proposal that potentially could include two Aspire tax credits of up to $400 million.
The Sixers have only said they are taking the proposal seriously — a word Gov. Phil Murphy used Tuesday in Montreal, when he made his first public comments on the issue.
“We’ll see where it lands, but it’s something that we’re taking very seriously,” he told ROI-NJ.
This rendering is another example of that, Sullivan said.
“You have a potentially iconic arena in a great location that could be something really special,” he said. “Just close your eyes and imagine the tip-off on opening night in 2031: The eyes of the NBA world would be on Camden, seeing people hanging out in restaurants and bars nearby — and living in a new residential development.”
The benefits for Camden would last for more than one game — or even a season of games, Sullivan said. An additional hundred nights a year of concerts and other events would keep the arena jumping and locals employed.
“I think one of the things that makes the arena exciting — and makes us so excited about the potential — is that it’s more than just one team,” he said. “You could have college basketball there, concerts — all kinds of event nights, which means a lot of business for restaurants, a lot of business for hotels, a lot of business for the city of Camden.”
A big win for Camden has been the narrative the state has pushed.
“It would be another big leap forward for Camden — that’s why Gov. Murphy is so focused on it,” Sullivan said. “This is a huge opportunity for South Jersey, something the governor has been focused on.
“I think, when people see this rendering, they’re going to get a sense of why Gov. Murphy and our administration are so excited about pursuing this opportunity so hard.”
