Virginia judge approves second Richmond casino referendum

A judge has approved the request from the Richmond City Council.

03/22/22

A judge has granted the city’s request to hold a second casino referendum in November.

US.- The Richmond City Circuit Court has granted the city permission to hold a second referendum for the proposed One Casino and Resort at November’s ballot. Residents in Richmond, Virginia, narrowly voted the project down in November last year.

In January, the city council committee unanimously voted in favour of continuing to push the rejected $565m Urban One One Casino and Resort proposal. Richmond Circuit Court judge W. Reilly Marchant, has backed the move, which is championed by mayor Levar Stoney and councilwoman Reva Trammell.

“This special economic development opportunity in South Richmond gives the city an additional way to address equity and community wealth gaps,” Stoney said through a news release. “As the city continues to work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the casino project can assist with leveling the playing field for many Richmonders who continue to struggle during these uncertain and unprecedented times.”

Urban One’s plan was to construct a 90,000 square foot gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines, over 100 gaming tables, a competition poker room, and a sportsbook. A hotel would offer 250 4-Star, AAA 4-Diamond luxury rooms, with the capacity to expand to 600 rooms.

Richmond’s hotel and casino workers union, Unite Here Local 25, has questioned the reality of the 1,500 jobs that it’s been claimed the proposed One Casino and Resort in Richmond would create. They believe any jobs created would be low-quality, base-paying positions with poor benefits and little sustainability.

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Urban One