Philadelphia lawmakers gave initial approval to the Sixers' $1.3 billion downtown arena project a day after delaying a vote to negotiate a better community benefits package. Why it matters: It's expected to be smooth sailing from here.

Protests will be underway Thursday after bills that would allow the Philadelphia 76ers to build a new $1.3 billion arena in Center City were passed out of committee Thursday, including a $60 million community benefits agreement.

Over several days of intense negotiations, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson pushed for the 76ers to dramatically increase how much the team was willing to pay as part of a community benefits agreement associated with its Center City arena project.