Year in Review Part 1: Philly sports, schools, pop culture, and the good old 76ers arena debate

·39 min·3 clips

Pat Loeb explains why Chinatown's instant opposition to the 76ers arena may have been a strategic miscalculation.

The episode opens with host Matt Leon introducing a year-in-review format, promising coverage of the biggest Philadelphia news from 2024. The first segment focuses on the 76ers arena, with City Hall Bureau Chief Pat Loeb detailing the approval process, opposition from Chinatown and other neighborhoods, and the timeline for demolition starting in 2026 and completion in 2031. Loeb notes that Chinatown refused to participate in negotiations, missing opportunities for more protections. The discussion shifts to Mayor Sherelle Parker's first year, highlighting her cleanup efforts, crime reduction, and the new municipal employment college, while acknowledging unmet goals like affordable housing. Connor Barkon then analyzes the significant drop in homicides, from 540 in 2021 to 255 in 2024, attributing it partly to an interagency task force but emphasizing uncertainty. Mike DiNardo covers education, reporting slight academic improvements, attendance gains, and a facilities review that may lead to school closures or consolidations due to aging buildings and under-enrollment. He also mentions potential impacts from federal immigration policies. Andre Bennett explores pop culture, describing WrestleMania's success with 72,000 attendees, Rocky Fest celebrations, the omnipresence of the Kelce family, and Sabrina Carpenter's rise. Dave Uram concludes with sports, citing the Eagles' resurgence, Saquon Barkley's impact, and Zach Vaughn as the biggest surprise. The episode wraps with a preview of next week's show.

As heard by us

A brisk Philadelphia year-in-review on the 76ers arena vote, falling homicide numbers, and the Phillies' unfinished business.

The Week in Philly treats 2024 as a busy civic and sports ledger, with the proposed 76ers arena in Center City, the homicide count, and the Phillies' sour finish carrying the hour.

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Want Philadelphia's 2024 story with the 76ers arena vote, falling homicide numbers, and Phillies frustration in one sitting?

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