Final Years
The building fell out of popular use in the 1970s, due to the building of the Spectrum in 1967. In 1977, the deteriorating building was auctioned off. It was renovated and renamed in honor of Martin Luther King.
In 1980, the Continental Basketball Association's Lancaster Red Roses relocated to the newly-named Martin Luther King, Jr. Arena and became the Philadelphia Kings. The Kings were coached by longtime 76er and Basketball Hall of Famer Hal Greer and led on the court by former NBA superstar Cazzie Russell. The franchise lasted just one season at the legendary arena before returning to Lancaster.
The arena was finally destroyed by arson on August 24, 1983. As of 2007, the former site of the arena now contains a housing complex, adjacent to the former TV studio which has become the Ron Brown Commerce Center. The site is located in West Philadelphia, on Market Street between 45th and 46th Streets.
Read more about this topic: Philadelphia Arena
Famous quotes containing the words final and/or years:
“The final event to himself has been, that as he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick.”
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809)
“It’s no go the Government grants, it’s no go the elections, Sit on your arse for fifty years and hang your hat on a pension.”
—Louis MacNeice (1907–1963)