FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia AACCGP stands with the hundreds of businesses we represent in Chinatown and urges the City Council to negotiate for a larger Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) amount, as the current $50 million CBA is grossly inadequate. The data provided in the city's community impact study clearly estimates that nearly half of Chinatown's businesses will face negative impacts from the arena. While the developers proposed to make an average PILOT/U&O payment of $6.0M/year over 30 years which makes $5.5M/year in year-one of operations and increases 10% every 10 years, based on our assessment and data collected from a recent Small Business Owners' survey, we agree with Councilmembers Brooks and O'Rourke that a substantially higher investment from the team would compensate for the property taxes that the city and school distric are foregoing as a result of the plan to lease the arena site to the 76ers. As such, the Chamber supports the proposal made by At-Large Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O'Rourke which advocates for minimum of $300M CBA amount.
Many of our constituents are disappointed with the Mayor’s decision to endorse the 76ers’ plan to build an arena in Center City.
Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia (AACCGP) will be establishing a special committee, and we are prepared to work closely with the Mayor’s team, the City Council, developers of ‘76 Place at Market East’ and most importantly our community members and business owners in Chinatown to make sure that the perceived issues mentioned in the Impact Study will be properly addressed.
To this day, AACCGP has actively participated in meetings and cooperated with the community organizers, developer’s team and individual businesses in our membership to offer a dynamic space where meaningful dialogues could occur. Board members, President & CEO and several members of AACCGP were in attendance at the recent town hall hosted by the Mayor. AACCGP is grateful for the opportunities to be invited to speak and to have the ability to keep the Asian American business community informed.
As a Chamber of Commerce, our main focus is and will always be the growth and creation of businesses, however, the overall impact of this project on our members is far greater than the possible positive outcomes for the businesses. We respectfully call for transparency and request further details from the Mayor and developers including on how the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and the City of Philadelphia will support Chinatown and Asian-owned businesses in the affected area.
Diverse Chambers Coalition of Philadelphia Endorses City's Streetery Program Recommendations
Philadelphia, PA - August 26, 2024 - The Diverse Chambers Coalition of Philadelphia (DCC), representing the city's African American, Asian American, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ businesses announces its strong support for the City of Philadelphia Controller's recent recommendations to enhance the Streetery program. This initiative, which became an essential part of the city's dining culture and a lifeline to small businesses throughout the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has provided crucial economic support to local businesses. As it now stands, the Streetery regulations are more complicated and less equitable than in similarly situated cities. Notably, the current regulations are also replete with hurdles and confusion such that the City of Philadelphia could be losing out on tax revenue while costing our businesses millions. The City of Philadelphia Controller's recommendations include several key improvements aimed at making the Streetery program more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive. These changes involve: 1. Streamlining the Application Process: Simplifying the steps for businesses to apply for Streetery permits, making it easier for small businesses to participate Reducing Fees: Lowering costs associated with obtaining permits, which will particularly benefit minority-owned businesses and small enterprises. 3. Clarifying Construction Guidelines: Providing clear and consistent standards for Streetery structures, ensuring safety, accessibility, and aesthetic harmony with the city's diverse neighborhoods. These enhancements are designed to remove barriers that have historically disadvantaged diverse-owned businesses, ensuring that all entrepreneurs have a fair opportunity to benefit from outdoor dining spaces. The proposed improvements- -especially the streamlined application process and reduced fees. -will significantly benefit small businesses and restaurants, including those owned by minorities, immigrants, and other marginalized communities. *By simplifying regulations and reducing barriers to entry for establishing a Streetery, Philadelphia has the opportunity to allow small businesses to thrive, to collect additional tax revenue for City services, and to create a cosmopolitan and inclusive dining scene which would benefit customers, business owners, and all those who benefit by making Philadelphia a destination for hospitality. Our hope as a coalition is that these recommendations can help our businesses reasonably participate in a program that could provide easy wins for everyone involved," said Zach Wilcha, CEO of the Independence Business Alliance, Greater Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Khine Arthur, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Asian American Chamber of Commerce added, We have many small Asian-owned restaurants that will benefit from having outdoor seating through a Streetery program that's easy to navigate and cost effective. From what
we have learned from our members, the current requirements are economically high, and the process is confusing. If the City makes it easier for small businesses to take advantage of the program, like by publishing a guide in various foreign languages, it would incentivize our businesses to continue doing business in Philadelphia." The Diverse Chambers Coalition of Philadelphia has long been an advocate for equitable opportunities within the city's business landscape. By bringing together various diverse chambers the DCC strives to amplify the voices of Philadelphia's diverse business owners and push for policies that promote inclusivity and economic growth. The DCC is committed to working closely with the City of Philadelphia to encourage that these recommendations are implemented effectively, and that they deliver tangible benefits to the city's diverse-owned businesses. The coalition will continue to advocate for policies that support the equitable growth of all businesses, ensuring that Philadelphia remains a city where diversity is celebrated, and all entrepreneurs have the opportunity to thrive. About the Diverse Chambers Coalition of Philadelphia: The Diverse Chambers Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (DCCPHL) is comprised of the African American Chamber of Commerce for PA, NJ, and DE, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the _Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Independence Business Alliance - Greater Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce,. The purpose of our partnership is to work collectively, as a community, to meet the unique challenges diverse business enterprises face when they engage with our local economy. With the goal of economic uplift for and within the diverse minority business community, we will speak with a united voice on issues where we unanimously align. For more information, please contact: Dr. Khine Arthur President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Asian American Chamber of Commerce [email protected] Regina A. Hairston President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce for PA, NJ, and DE [email protected] Jennifer Rodriguez President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce [email protected] Zach Wilcha CEO, Independence Business Alliance [email protected]