See What 76ers Arena In NJ Would Look Like In New Rendering

CAMDEN, NJ — New Jersey officials shared a rendering Thursday of a proposed 76ers arena in Camden as the state ramps up its bid for Philadelphia's team to compete across the Delaware.

The design marks the first visualization of the potential redevelopment along the Camden waterfront that would center around a Sixers home arena. Last week, state dealmakers dangled nearly $1 billion in incentives if team ownership signs onto the project.

The Sixers have been wanting to move into a new arena in 2031, when their lease at Wells Fargo Center expires. For several years, the team has been negotiating to construct a new arena in Philadelphia's downtown. But roadblocks to the project, including backlash from city residents, have made team ownership uncertain about the move — especially as they mull New Jersey's offer.

• Read more: 76ers 'Seriously' Considering Move To Camden

A rendering of the Camden arena shows the venue along the waterfront by the Ben Franklin Bridge. It shows walkable spaces around the facility, along with mixed-use buildings that would also be part of the redevelopment.

The rendering comes from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), a government entity that develops partnerships to encourage business activity in the state. Tim Sullivan, the authority's CEO, contacted Sixers ownership Sept. 2 to convince the team to compete in Camden.

See the full image below:

"The proposed project is more than just a state-of-the-art arena; it’s open space, new housing, restaurants, and office space, which will help bring new, good-paying jobs to the city," Sullivan said in a statement. "This transformational project will spur greater economic activity and a bustling, revitalized neighborhood, resulting in a major economic opportunity for Camden and its residents for years to come."

As New Jersey intensifies its full-court press, crunch time is approaching for Philadelphia officials to decide on whether to move forward with a Sixers arena in Center City.

The project has faced years-long backlash from Philadelphia residents who claim that moving the team downtown would create transportation headaches, decrease tax revenue and upend Chinatown, which is one block away. Protesters packed a community meeting about the arena Wednesday led by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who hasn't taken a firm stance on the downtown development.

Parker's support is necessary for the project to happen.

"When it is time for me as mayor of this city to stand up and affirm where I am on this issue, you will know where I am," Parker said Wednesday, adding that she'll announce a position "very soon," reports WHYY.

The Sixers have competed in the Wells Fargo Center since it opened in the mid-1990s, sharing the venue with the Philadelphia Flyers. The arena is part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex — a massive lot that also contains the Eagles' and Phillies' home fields.

But the Sixers ownership group has been wanting their own home arena, proposing a privately funded, $1.55 billion development in Center City. The team is owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the New Jersey Devils, which compete in Newark.

Unlike Philadelphia, New Jersey officials have offered significant public funding for the Sixers to compete in Camden. The NJEDA says it could secure $400 million in tax breaks and work with state lawmakers on structuring $500 million in government bonds.

A Sixers spokesperson said the team is "seriously" considering the offer. The team moved their corporate headquarters and practice facility to Camden in 2016.

Even with significant public funding, a Sixers arena in Camden would be a major win for the city and state, says John Boyd, Jr., principal of The Boyd Company, a corporate-development consulting firm.

"There's no question that incentives are very controversial today amongst the public and amongst a lot of advocacy groups," Boyd told Patch. "But I can tell you, they are a necessary part of closing a deal like this one."