Bally’s Corporation, seeking to recover from criticism, aimed to shift focus towards a different Richmond casino site. However, the city firmly stated that the opportunity has passed.
Over the past weeks, there have been protests and a growing, well-coordinated resistance against the project. Consequently, Bally’s executives have been working to suppress the grievances.
Earlier this week, a “listening tour” was conducted to directly engage with Richmond residents. These very residents will have the opportunity to vote on a casino referendum in November, which will ultimately decide the future of a casino in the capital of Virginia.
Bally’s most recent initiative in engaging with the community, however, took a more daring approach: a complete relocation of the planned $650 million casino-resort.
Richmond casino location angers some Richmonders
Bally’s, together with The Cordish Companies and Urban One/Colonial Downs, is among the top three contenders for the Richmond casino project. The Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort holds the highest price tag among the competitors, amounting to nearly $600 million.
Despite this, Richmonders have shown that they are not solely focused on the financial details of each project. Instead, they have placed significant importance on the location of the Richmond casino, leading to intense and heated discussions.
The proposed location for Bally’s Richmond is a 61-acre plot situated at the intersection of Powhite Parkway (VA-76) and Chippenham Parkway (VA-150), near Forest Hill Avenue. Despite this proposal, a group of residents from the nearby Stratford Hills neighborhood have strongly expressed their opposition to the chosen site.
According to Richmond.com, Bally’s recently inquired with City of Richmond officials about the possibility of relocating their project. They proposed considering their proposal if it was moved to a vacant lot situated behind Rosie’s Gaming Emporium on Midlothian Turnpike. It’s worth noting that this new location is one of five historical horse racing facilities known as Rosie’s, present in Virginia.
On Wednesday, the city responded, delivering a negative verdict for Bally’s.
City says no to Richmond casinos changes
As reported by Richmond.com, Bally’s Corporation is now advocating for a separation between the selection of an operator and the choice of location by the city. This means that while the city may still opt for Bally’s, they would have the authority to specify the site where the company should establish its operations.
The idea was also rejected by the city.
On Wednesday evening, Leonard Sledge, the director of economic development in Richmond, stated:
“The evaluation process of the resort-casino (Request for Qualifications/Proposals) has witnessed the city’s unwavering approach in assessing a single site proposal from each respondent to the RFQ/P. The operator and the site are inseparable in this process.”
A council member informed the newspaper that if Bally’s were to suddenly alter its proposed location, it would jeopardize the evaluation process’s integrity. This concern holds even more weight due to the city’s prior rejection of three insufficient proposals.
Instead, the initial proposals, which present different visions for the proposed gambling venue, will be evaluated by the city.
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