After years of protests over plans to build a new arena for the NBA 76ers in Philadelphia's Chinatown neighborhood, the sudden reversal of those plans left nearby activists relieved but also feeling a deep sense of shock and distrust.

Organizers, leaders and residents in the area say they are heartened that previous plans, which were heavily criticized for potentially gentrifying the Chinatown area and driving out Asian American businesses and families, will no longer threaten their community. .

But they also don’t trust developers and officials to listen to them on future proposals after going through what many say was a non-inclusive process.

"I'm very excited. I feel relieved," said Wei Chen, an organizer with the nonprofit Asian Americans United. "But it was very unexpected. ... It's a scary process and it makes the community feel even more anxious."

The 76ers did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment. But in a 2022 interview, David Adelman, the entrepreneur overseeing the team's arena project, said he had been involving locals in the plan.

“Since we made the announcement, we’ve had almost daily meetings with different groups within the community,” he said.

The 76ers said in a press release that the news is the result of an agreement between owner Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and professional sports company Comcast Spectacor. The 76ers and hockey team Flyers plan to move into a new facility expected to open in 2031. Meanwhile, the companies said they still plan to "invest in revitalizing" Center City's Market East area, home to the 76ers and ice hockey Flyers. The arena was previously planned and would be located on the edge of the Fashion District, adjacent to Chinatown.

Xu Lin, who opened Bubblefish restaurant in Chinatown about a decade ago, said he was initially "in disbelief" and shocked by the arena news, then shed tears of joy. The restaurant is just half a block from the proposed arena site, and the project's construction, traffic and noise would put away customers, he said.

"This will ruin my business," Lin said.

Although he said he felt a little breathless, he was also nervous about what was about to happen. Lin said he doesn't believe developers and officials will consider community considerations in any future plans for the area.

"I have zero trust in them. I don't think they are engaging with the community in any meaningful way," he said.

Many organizers also raised questions about how the emotional distress suffered by residents could have been avoided if developers and officials had listened to Chinatown locals sooner.

“There’s not an inclusive process to hear community voices,” said Chen, whose organization is a member of the coalition opposing the arena. “Why are our communities suffering this nightmare?”

Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, expressed similar sentiments during a press conference hosted by the alliance on Monday.

"We are very proud, happy and relieved that Chinatown, a 150-year-old community, will continue to stand strong," Seshadri said. "But let's be clear, it doesn't have to be this way. Two and a half years ago, when we said this arena was the wrong site, the wrong location for a project like this, it doesn't have to be this way. It doesn't have to be this way. It will destroy Chinatown.”

Fariha Khan, co-director of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, said that while the outcome was a significant victory for Chinatown, it was unclear whether the news was influenced by community outcry. Still, protesters deserve recognition for their efforts, she said.

"Our community organizations have been instrumental. They have been so determined and so tireless in making sure their voices are heard by other members of the City Council and the mayor's office," Khan said. "That's really admirable."

Khan added that over the years, Philadelphia's Chinatown has been viewed as collateral damage from several major development projects, including the Vine Street Expressway, which was completed in 1991 and essentially sliced ​​the neighborhood into pieces. Two halves. Residents had to defend the area against many other potential proposals, including a baseball stadium in 2000 and a casino a few years later. However, Khan said it's still possible for everyone to win.

“There are many ways in which builders, union workers and community members can come up with many ideas to rethink what Chinatown will look like,” Khan said. "It's just the desire. Who do we want to be part of this conversation?"