Ed Rendell and John Street: When it comes to the Sixers arena, let the next mayor make the call

We both had the honor of serving two terms as mayor of Philadelphia. As each of our second terms wound down, in 1999 and then in 2007, we both understood the importance of smooth transitions to whoever would follow us in office. And we both agree on one very important key to a smooth transition: leaving game-changing decisions that can redefine the city’s future to our newly elected successor.

That approach comes to mind as we learn about the proposal by the owners of the 76ers to build an arena in the heart of Center City. It is a bold plan — one that brings substantial risk — and therefore warrants further study.

With a new mayor, five new City Council members, and a new Council president in the coming year, this decision is best left to those who will be held responsible for it. It would be inappropriate for the current administration — with 12 months remaining, and with serious issues like gun violence as a top priority — to render the final “yea” or “nay.”

The new mayor and new slate of Council members must own this, for they’ll be dealing with its impacts — should it move forward — over the ensuing years. They will smile with the developers should there be a groundbreaking, and they will hear from angry residents if construction disrupts Center City or displaces any citizens.

Of course, this situation brings us both a bit of “déjà vu all over again,” as Yogi Berra would say. Recall that as the Rendell administration’s second term wound down in 1999, the city was embroiled in a similar debate over where to build two new stadiums for the Phillies and Eagles. The Phillies ownership proposed building its new park, like the Sixers now, in the heart of Center City.

We recognize that the current debate over a Sixers arena is not completely analogous. For one, in 1999 no one disputed that the Vet needed to close, whereas now the Wells Fargo Center remains a modern venue. But the similarities between then and now are sufficient to prompt this look back.

The stadium debate was emotionally charged. Throughout 1999, we both — Ed Rendell as mayor, John Street as former Council president, then mayor-elect — realized more time was needed. We knew also that the voters of Philadelphia deserved to have the freshly chosen mayor and Council examine the Phillies’ proposal and weigh its costs and benefits.

On this need to wait, we agreed: Ed Rendell must yield to John Street. We didn’t pass the buck, we passed the baton, supporting the new leadership and the smooth transition.

And guess what — it worked! The Rendell and Street administrations originally supported the downtown ballpark proposal, a site at 13th and Vine Streets. But over the course of the year 2000, both John’s team and members of City Council took their time to hear the concerns of those who would be directly affected by the plan, and in December 2000 Council and Mayor Street approved legislation for two South Philadelphia stadiums.

It was a deliberative process of which we are both proud.

We write this not as an exercise in nostalgia, but to urge the current administration to follow that example in its handling of the Sixers’ proposal: Respect the will of Philadelphia voters by leaving the arena decision to whoever is chosen in November to lead the city going forward.

We are hopeful that just as we cheer Joel Embiid today, we will cheer when our current leaders pass the baton in January 2024 and leave this crucial decision to the new leadership of Philadelphia.

Ed Rendell served as the 96th mayor of Philadelphia (1992-2000) and as the 45th governor of Pennsylvania (2003-11). John F. Street was the 97th mayor of Philadelphia (2000-08) and president of City Council (1992-98).