Officials at Urban One, whose casino proposal was rejected by 51 percent of voters in Richmond, Virginia in 2021, announced they will pursue a second referendum on the $565 million One Casino + Resort in 2023 rather than this November.
The city applied for and received a final court order allowing the referendum to occur in the 2022 election, but the Virginia legislature passed a budget amendment including language that would prevent Richmond from holding a re-vote until 2023. The amendment allows the city of Petersburg to commission a casino feasibility study.
Urban One Chief Executive Officer Alfred Liggins said, “This has created a conflict. A legal conflict and a huge cloud of doubt in order for us to run this referendum in order to bring One Casino and Resort. With that said, Urban One has elected to ask our partners, the city of Richmond, to request that the court unwind the court order. We feel a long protracted legal dispute at this time does not best serve the citizens of Richmond or the state of Virginia. We are now focused on winning the Richmond casino referendum in 2023.”
The proposed casino resort, to be developed with partner Peninsula Pacific, included 90,000 square feet of gaming, a sportsbook, 150 hotel rooms, 3,000 capacity theater, 12 bars and restaurants, 20,000 square feet of event space and a 50-acre green space initiative.
Urban One’s plan was selected over proposals from Cordish Companies, Bally’s, Golden Nugget, Wind Creek Hospitality and Pamunkey Indian Tribe.
Cathy Hughes, Urban One founder and chairperson, said “There is no doubt that Richmond is by far the best location for a project like this, with its central location, vibrancy and existing infrastructure. I’m grateful for the outpouring of broad support that we have received from Richmond and look forward to getting back on the air to continue the dialogue about our shared vision for One Resort + Casino.”
