The son of a developer seeking to locate a casino on the Silver Line of the DC Metro commuter train line published a Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NoVA Chamber) blog that calls on lawmakers to consider Silver Line stations in Arlington, Falls Church, and Dulles as potential casino locations.
The Silver Line runs commuter trains from Dulles International Airport in Virginia to downtown Washington, D.C., with connections to two other commuter routes in Arlington, Va. The developer, through the NoVA Chamber, is heralding the potential revenue to be generated at Silver Line Metro stations.
The blog criticizes the state Senate for tabling SB 675, to give the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors the opportunity to create a ballot referendum on a casino. Julie Coons, president and CEO of the NoVA Chamber, testified in support of SB 675.
“We are disheartened by the decision of Senate Finance to continue the discussion until next year and initiate another study on the potential economic impact of a casino in Northern Virginia,” Nick Clemente wrote in the NoVA Chamber blog, posted Feb. 9. “However, since this matter is concluded, we believe the study should not be narrow in scope. We believe it should also study the potential additional revenue that would be generated from a casino along the Silver Line between Dulles and the District of Columbia line. It is critical that we do not miscalculate the additional economic benefits that would be generated from international business people or tourists who come to the DMV through Dulles.”
