Iconic Statues Returned to South Philadelphia Ahead of Entertainment Venue’s Debut

March 16, 2012 1:19 PM

(A crane lowers a statue of Julius “Dr. J” Erving into place outside the Xfinity Live venue in South Philadelphia. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Reporting Mike DeNardo

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Some familiar symbols of Philadelphia sports glory are returning home. The statues that were once outside the Spectrum are back in South Philadelphia.

A crane lowered the Julius Erving statue onto a walkway not far from where he once led the Sixers to a championship.

The sculptures of Gary Dornhoefer scoring a playoff goal, Kate Smith, and Dr. J were taken down in October 2010 to make way for the demolition of the Spectrum.

statues kate denardo Iconic Statues Returned to South Philadelphia Ahead of Entertainment Venues Debut

(Kate Smith awaits her turn to inspire another generation of Philadelphia sports fans. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

—–

Now, they’re out of storage and back at the new entertainment complex on the site.

“We actually have a walkway into Xfinity Live, and the statues are along the way,” says Comcast-Spectacor spokesman Ike Richman. “So it’s almost like a walk of fame, if you will, into Xfinity Live. And it does almost link the Wells Fargo Center into Xfinity Live.”

The new Xfinity Live opens in two weeks.