Mayor Cherelle Parker says she is not discouraged as Philadelphia City Council hearings have gone underway on the Sixers' plan to build an arena in Center City.

Tuesday was a step in making the proposed Sixers arena a reality as City Council held its first public hearing.

If the arena project is to be approved by the end of the year — as the 76ers have requested and as Mayor Parker is aiming for ― lawmakers would have to vote it out of committee in just three weeks.