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

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.

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.