After more than two years of contentious debate, months of negotiations, and one final protest that briefly disrupted proceedings, Philadelphia City Council on Thursday approved the 76ers’ proposal to build a new $1.

The future of Philadelphia’s Market East community in Center City is now crystal clear as City Council has voted to approve a $1.3 billion plan to bring a brand new arena for the Philadelphia Sixers to the neighborhood.

Dozens of protesters opposing the new Sixers arena invaded the City Council chambers floor Thursday, hours before the body passed the legislation for the $1.3 billion project to be built