Tax Appeals, Sixers Arena, Embiid, & Birds

Hi readers,

Some quick thoughts today on several topics:

First, last week, I wrote in detail about Philly’s upcoming Property Tax Appeal deadline. I received a big response from clients and readers with questions about their tax assessments and the best way to proceed. There are several options and plenty of details in last week’s piece. But for the quickest, no-nonsense method to see whether a tax appeal is worth it, just use the above QR code, fill out the short form (like 1-2 minutes), and wait for InCenter to contact you and let you know whether an appeal is worth it.

If you think your value is too high, this is where to start. Now if you disagree with InCenter’s conclusion, believe you have different grounds for appeal (other than value), or have a more nuanced situation, then read last week’s ATB and/or contact me to discuss further.

Second topic: the 76ers arena. I love downtown development and appreciate the theoretical idea behind a Center City arena. But I am a lifelong Philadelphian and have been going to the sports complex for over 50 years. I have seen countless Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and Eagles games there, as well as scores upon scores of concerts. The Vet, the Spectrum, JFK, the Linc, Citizens Bank, and, of course, the Wells Fargo Center (f/k/a the FU Center).

The Philly sports complex is awesome and is on its way up. Convenient to pretty much everywhere in the Delaware Valley, and so far as I know, Philly sports fans love attending games there. I know I do. While walking to 12th & Market would be convenient for me personally, I am not sure 76ers fans would feel so in general. In fact, I am pretty sure polls have shown the opposite. What do you think? Here is Jason Kelce’s opinion. I agree with Kelce on several points. One, the South Philly Sports Complex is just a great place to see a game. Two, not looking to hold the Sixers hostage as a Comcast Spectator tenant. The 76ers could build their own Sports Complex arena. Three, if the downtown stadium does get built, it will be fine, and we will get used to it. I think Chinatown will be fine with the Chinatown Stitch over 676 and the many millions of dollars that the city must extract from the Sixers to benefit Chinatown and the entire segment of Center City surrounding “76er Place.”  I would prefer to see the Sixers stay in South Philly but between Center City and Camden… well, I agree with Kelce there as well.

Third, while talking about the 76ers, some extremely positive news. Joel Embiid just signed a three-year extension to his existing contract with the goal of staying a 76er for life. “I started a Sixer and want to be right here for the rest of my career,” Embiid said. By the way, this has no direct tie-in to my previous subject because this extension will run through the ’29 -’30 season—at least several years before any new Sixers arena will be completed.

Fourth, on a much less positive note, the Birds are 1-1 after handing over a game they should have had wrapped up to the Atlanta Falcons. I mean, if a team beats you up, I can accept it. But when you can call a running play to run down the clock and bring the game into the win column, and instead, you throw an incompletion, stop the clock, and lose. SMH.

Finally, let’s bring it back to the positive. As of this writing, the Phils are tied for the best record in all of baseball (and own the tiebreaker)! The Fightins’ will likely clinch the division this weekend. Can’t beat that. What a season. Looking forward to Red October!!!

Have a great weekend. 

Warm regards,

Jeff