Richmond City Council has given its approval for plans to resurrect the One Casino project. Members voted eight to one in favor of a second referendum on the matter, after residents narrowly rejected the initial proposals last year.
Richmond was one of five Virginia cities approved to build casinos back in 2020. The four others — Danville, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Bristol — all voted overwhelmingly in favor of the plan.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, along with a number of other council members, is proposing a 2% cut in real estate taxes as an incentive, which will come into effect if the proposal is approved this time around.
The council was keen to emphasize the economic benefits of the project:
- The creation of 1,500 jobs
- A 2% cut in real estate taxes
- An estimated $30 million in yearly taxes for the city of Richmond
- $16 million would go towards public schools and charitable foundations
- A one-off $25 million payment if the operation goes ahead
Stoney’s administration unveiled plans for the tax cut shortly before last Monday’s vote.
REVIEWBONUS- Generous welcome bonus
- $25 in no deposit funds
- Good selection of slots
“Our residents deserve tax relief and access to good jobs,” Stoney said. “They want public infrastructure improvements and more funding for school capital projects. This project provides a unique opportunity to do just that.”
“I know City Council is committed to creating opportunities that uplift and support all Richmond residents, and I’m hopeful tonight’s vote affirms this shared commitment.”
The first casino referendum, held last November, failed by the narrowest of margins — 49% to 51%.
Urban One CEO, Alfred Liggins, has stated his opinion that many of those who took part in the vote had been unaware of how the casino enterprise would benefit the city. For example, $16 million would be made available to public schools and charitable foundations.
However, he is aware that responsibility for the failure to communicate falls partly on his shoulders.
Our residents deserve tax relief and access to good jobs, public infrastructure improvements, and more funding for school capital projects. This project provides a unique opportunity to do just that.
“We needed to be more intentional and specific about that,” Liggins said. “The idea now that the administration and council are talking about proposing a real estate tax reduction, which will go across all nine council districts, is a big difference.”
With public opinion so divided, there have been objections to a second vote. Local activist Allan-Charles Chipman spoke out at a recent public hearing.
“The passage of this legislation would defy the expressed will of the people in Richmond. It is a frequent tactic of casinos once they lose any democratic referendum to try and break the will of the people with consecutive referendums,” Chipman said, as reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
“While double or nothing is an acceptable tool for someone who lost a bet in the casino, it is not an acceptable option for the members of this body who lost a bet on a casino.”
Stoney and his supporters have pointed out that voters living closest to the proposed site, were most heavily in favor of the proposal.
They have also pointed out that One would be the first Black-owned casino in the country, and how important that will be in making minority communities feel included in the city’s economic development. Black neighborhoods in Richmond voted strongly in favor of the casino in the referendum.
However, regardless of opinion in Richmond, the decision may no longer be in the city’s own hands. A bill seeking a similar referendum in Petersburg, received bipartisan support towards the end of last week.
Should that bill pass, Stoney’s latest proposals would become academic, as it would prevent Richmond from holding a second referendum for five years.
