First glimpse of 76ers arena in Camden

Image: New Jersey Economic Development Authority

The first images have been released of a potential new arena for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers in Camden, New Jersey.

ROI-NJ said the image shows a state-of-the-art arena in Camden, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Officials from the State of New Jersey earlier this month sent details to the owners of the 76ers regarding an opportunity to use State-owned land in Camden for a massive mixed-use development that would include a world-class arena as well as commercial, residential and retail offerings.

The multi-billion-dollar project, championed by the Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy and supported by the Legislature, would be built on the former State prison site area that is adjacent to the Delaware River.

The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, is an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area (US). The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers currently play at the 21,000-capacity Wells Fargo Center multipurpose indoor arena located in Philadelphia (US). It also serves as the home of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

The area around the new arena in Camden would have plenty of open space, restaurants, commercial and residential space and even potential for a dock for a ferry service.

Because the project would contain both an arena and a full-scale mixed-use component, the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment financed scheme could be eligible to receive two Aspire tax credits worth up to $400 million each.

Aspire is a financial incentive program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) that awards transferable, pledgeable State tax credits to eligible redevelopment projects.

Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, said, “The rendering frames up very nicely the potential transformative impact that this project could have on the Camden waterfront. 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 full rendering of the arena project shows its environs, from the Camden waterfront to the Philadelphia skyline.

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.

Sullivan told ROI-NJ, “You have a potentially iconic arena in a great location that could be something really special.

“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.

“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. 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.”

Sullivan said it would be another big leap forward for Camden and that’s why Gov. Murphy is so focused on it.

He added, “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.”

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