After receiving significant support from residents in two public forums earlier this month, the Bristol City Council officially announced its approval of Hard Rock International as the preferred provider for the Virginia casino.
The council unanimously voted 5-0, bringing Hard Rock Casino Bristol one step closer to becoming a reality.
The team at Bristol Casino expressed their gratitude to city officials and residents for their unwavering support.
We would like to express our gratitude to the Bristol, Virginia City Council for their unwavering support towards the Hard Rock Casino Bristol during tonight’s proceedings.
The resort’s impact will extend beyond its premises, stimulating economic growth in the entire region. By attracting four million tourists annually, it will generate employment opportunities for local businesses. These establishments will cater to visitors seeking to explore Bristol’s natural splendor and experience the abundance of entertainment, cultural, and recreational attractions in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
A sneak peek at Hard Rock Casino Bristol
The proposed plans for Hard Rock Bristol Casino and Resort, presented to the city council, encompass the following features:
- 100,000 square-foot casino
- 750 luxury hotel rooms
- There are a total of 50 small businesses, including restaurants, shops, and various others.
- 20,000-person outdoor concert venue
- 3,200-seat indoor concert hall
- 100,000-square-foot convention center
It is estimated that the new casino resort will generate around 2,000 job opportunities for the local area, with approximately 1,000 of these positions being within the casino itself. Additionally, the city is expected to receive approximately $20 million in tax revenue from the resort.
The following is the depiction of the proposed Hard Rock Casino showcased during the city council meeting.
Hard Rock had the stage all to itself
Bristol’s preferred casino provider application received only one submission, which came from Hard Rock. The city council had anticipated a second proposal from real estate developer, Steve Johnson, who intended to collaborate with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
However, the bid never came to fruition, possibly due to the fact that Bristol city officials had already reached a deal with Hard Rock the previous autumn.
The inception of the Hard Rock Casino Bristol project dates back to September 2018, when Bristol Mall was acquired by United Company and Par Ventures, long before the events of last fall.
During that period, the developers announced their intention to allocate $150 million towards transforming the mall into a casino resort. However, it is important to note that casino gambling remained illegal in Virginia at the time, and various attempts to modify the law had been unsuccessful.
Nevertheless, the reversal of PASPA in 2018 and the subsequent introduction of sports betting in various states marked a shift in public opinion towards gambling. Although it was a substantial gamble with inherent risks, it is now proving to be a lucrative investment.
Get out and vote on casinos Nov. 3
The Bristol City Council has officially declared Hard Rock as its preferred casino provider, and now the decision awaits approval from the Lottery Board. The approval process is anticipated to take place during the upcoming meeting on July 15.
Afterwards, there remains a single concluding action.
Although the deals may be negotiated, it is ultimately the voters who will determine the outcome of Hard Rock Casino Bristol.
The residents of Bristol have one final opportunity to make their voices heard, and that opportunity lies within the ballot box.
It appears highly probable that the referendum regarding casino gambling and the redevelopment of the former Bristol Mall will be included in the general election ballot on November 3. The overwhelming support expressed during the public comment sessions suggests a favorable outcome.
Nevertheless, stranger occurrences have taken place before, hence it is crucial to remember to participate in voting.
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