This is from the opposition group(s) trying to stop the Sixers downtown arena from being built:

WEDS (edit – they are moving this to THURSDAY) @ 5:30PM: Car Caravan Will Demonstrate Arena Gridlock

Peer into Philly’s potential arena future, traffic nightmare ahead

PHILADELPHIA – During rush hour on Wednesday Thursday, a mass caravan will drive through Center City to simulate the gridlock traffic that would be a frequent nightmare if the arena is approved for Market Street. City Council is scheduled to vote on the arena legislation Wednesday morning, though that vote has already been cancelled twice as Councilmembers are dissatisfied with the lowball $50M Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).

Gridlock is guaranteed if more than 40% of spectators drive—a likely reality given that 85% of spectators currently drive to Wells Fargo Center, the traffic study showed. The arena developers have yet to provide a plan to address and manage what is near-certain gridlock around the arena, which would impede access to Jefferson Hospital and jam up commuters.

City Council does not currently have the votes to pass the pitiful CBA deal, Council President Kenyatta Johnson said, as City Council tumbles toward a manufactured December 19 deadline set by the developers. The No Arena coalition has already forced the cancellation of the committee vote twice. 

Wednesday Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Center City is a gridlocked hellscape to begin with, so I guess the demonstration is meant to show what happens if you add even more drivers to the equation.

The arena can’t be successful if people don’t take mass transit, which is the whole point. You’re supposed to get on the regional rail or PATCO and leave your car at home. Easier said than done, since Sixers fans have been driving to games in South Philadelphia forever. It will require a huge philosophical shift for a region that likes to drive and only has the Broad Street Line to get to the sports complex.

RE: City Council, the committee vote was delayed a bit. They’re still negotiating the Community Benefits Agreement, which is going to end up being more than the originally offered $50 million. The opposition wants about six times that amount. We’re at a point where the Sixers are going to be squeezed for as much money as possible before this thing can get to full council for an official vote.