Bally’s to Host Listening Tour in Richmond About Casino

Bally’s to Host Listening Tour in Richmond About Casino

Bally’s will host a listening tour in Richmond as its proposal for Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort is being evaluated along with two others for potential development in the city.

One of three finalists for a proposed casino in Virginia’s capital city, Bally’s has made a $650 million resort proposal. Urban One and Cordish Cos. proposals are also being considered by Richmond leadership. One is scheduled to be selected in June, and it will be on the ballot Nov. 2.

Four other Virginia cities — Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth — approved casino development in November 2020 after the passage of legislation by the General Assembly earlier that year. Those developers are submitting applications for approval by the Virginia Lottery Board this month.

The Schedule

Community activist Jonathan Davis will join Bally’s listening tour, which is scheduled for:

  • April 13, 6:30 p.m. at Bryan Park (4308 Hermitage Road, Richmond).
  • April 14, 1 p.m. at Battery Park (2803 Dupont Circle, Richmond).
  • April 14, 6:30 p.m. at Chimborazo Park (3215 E. Broad St., Richmond).

The goal of the meetings is to address concerns from residents and business owners, and Bally’s said in its press release it wants to connect with all nine of the city’s districts.

“It is great to see that Bally’s is taking steps to ensure that Richmonders’ voices are heard as we move forward in the casino selection process,” Davis said in the release. “I'm excited to be working with them to help Richmonders better understand this process and help them stay involved as things progress.”

The Proposals

The Bally’s proposal calls for development of 61 acres at Chippenham and Powhite parkways.

Urban One’s $517 million project would be on 100 acres currently owned by Phillip Morris USA near Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard. Cordish Co.’s Live! Casino and Hotel Richmond, a $600 million project, is proposed for 1301 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.

The city hosted public outreach meetings in person and virtually in March and earlier this month.

Six proposals were submitted to the city for consideration. It was trimmed to three finalists at the end of March.

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Author

Andi Petrini

Andi Petrini is a Virginia-based freelance journalist for BetVirginia.com. She has nearly 20 years of experience in newsrooms in Virginia and North Carolina, and has been a team editor for sports, news and features. She also led the internship program at the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.), and was a member of Associated Press Sports Editors.

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