There is a possibility of a second referendum for a casino in the capital city of Virginia, Richmond.
In south Richmond, the $560 million One Casino + Resort project would have been realized if the casino referendum had been approved by Richmond voters last month. However, it was narrowly rejected.
However, the Virginia casino was unsuccessful as the ballot measure received 51.2% opposing votes and only 48.8% supporting votes.
Urban One and its partners at Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) seem to be contemplating Round 2 despite the outcome of the election.
A second Richmond casino referendum?
According to a recent article by The Richmond Time Dispatch, a new survey is currently being distributed to residents of Richmond through text messages and phone calls.
According to reports, the survey inquires about the voting preferences of the respondents in the casino referendum. Additionally, it seeks to ascertain whether they would maintain the same voting decision if presented with the opportunity again.
According to reports, there is speculation circulating in Richmond that Urban One and P2E are contemplating a second referendum for the establishment of One Casino + Resort. Additionally, there are suggestions that officials are aiming to enhance their communication strategy for the upcoming referendum.
Is it possible for them to refine their pitch in order to overcome the 1,500-vote shortfall they experienced on Election Day 2021?
According to the newspaper, Bob Holsworth, a respected political analyst and former dean of Virginia Commonwealth University, stated
They believe that by adjusting their messaging, they could potentially secure a victory if given another opportunity. They are currently investigating whether emphasizing the challenges to the city’s budget more strongly in their messaging would increase the likelihood of its approval.
According to reports, there was no denial from Urban One, a media conglomerate based in Maryland, regarding their involvement in the survey.
Four Virginia cities conducted individual casino referendums a year before the Richmond vote. Each of these referendums was successful, with overwhelming support, paving the way for the establishment of casinos in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.
Is Richmond going to join them? If not Richmond, will another city?
If not RVA, a casino where?
In regards to a potential second Richmond casino referendum, the survey is not the sole indicator of activity.
Reva Trammell, a member of the Richmond City Council, is the representative for the Southside 8th Voter District, the proposed site for the casino. Recent reports suggest that she is actively gathering signatures to petition for a new referendum.
Richmond supporters, who encountered strong resistance during the initial referendum, are also aware that time is crucial for this entire matter.
Other cities in Virginia took note after the initial referendum was unsuccessful. However, it is important to note that any potential host city for a casino in Virginia would require state legislative support in order to be considered eligible. Nonetheless, in the nearby city of Petersburg, progress is being made towards this goal.
Both Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham and Virginia State Senator Joe Morrissey have expressed their commitment to supporting the project.
Public officials would have found many reasons to support the referendum. Urban One would have not only created new employment opportunities but also contributed $50 million per year to Richmond for a decade. This substantial amount would have accounted for 50% of Petersburg’s yearly city budget.
There is no doubt that other cities in Virginia are also contemplating the advantages that such a project could provide to their educational institutions, housing, and overall city infrastructure.
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