A spokesperson for Mayor Jim Kenney said that it was “exciting” to hear about the arena proposal. They added that they are “looking forward” to the development team’s community engagement process. However, City Council member Helen Gym, whom the 76ers said they had contacted for input about the project, said she was given less than 24 hours’ notice before the proposal was announced. “They would be wise to be in concert with Chinatown and to actually have Chinatown drive the project,” Gym said. “Not the other way around.”