The Richmond, Virginia city council recently voted to pass one resolution and two ordinances that would allow a revote on the $600 million Urban ONE casino project, which voters narrowly defeated last November. However, one roadblock could be state Senator Joe Morrissey’s bill allowing a casino referendum in Petersburg and prohibiting Richmond from holding another referendum for five years. The Senate’s gaming subcommittee unanimously voted to move Morrissey’s measure to the General Laws and Technology Committee.
The council sent a media release stating, “City officials are poised to put forth a new resolution to bring the One Casino to Richmond. Empowered with the knowledge that residents want to know how the casino revenue will be spent, city staff proposes a 2-cent tax rate reduction and uses the additional revenue for one-time capital improvement projects for Richmond City public schools and the city of Richmond. The infusion of 1,500 jobs and millions of dollars in economic growth and development that will help Richmond grow is exactly what many leaders and community members desire.”
In November, 50.95 percent of Richmond voters voted against ONE Casino + Resort and 49.05 percent voted for it, a difference of less than 1,500 ballots.
Councilwoman Reva Trammell, leading the effort to include another referendum on the November ballot, said, “I think the people voted it down because they didn’t fully understand. It’s going to be an economic development for all, for all of us, with jobs, tax revenue. When you have a good tax base and you’ve got good money coming in, that can help projects like infrastructure, drainage, things like that.”
Trammell added, “I don’t think we got the message clear enough to let them know that this is what the money, the $25 million, was not going to just be in Southside or 8th District. It’s something that would help everybody, and what would help everybody? To reduce the real estate tax.” Trammell was referring to the $25.5 million Urban ONE pledged to give the city if the casino referendum passed. Trammell also stated voters didn’t understand Urban ONE would pay for the project, not city taxpayers.
Community organizer Allan-Charles Chipman, a former city council candidate, said the casino would simply perpetuate exploitation of racial minorities. He commented, “I think the real racial inequity is that, somehow, they’re pitching that Southside can’t develop without a casino, even though every other district has gotten the development and the priorities that they need without it, and so if we can develop other parts of our city without economic exploitation, Southside deserves that same dignity and that same chance to do that.”
Chipman added a revote would be anti-democratic. “Unfortunately, this is what casinos do. It’s really not about banking on a fair and equitable election. It’s really banking on exhaustion, that people get tired,” he said.
Urban ONE officials finally expressed their opinion about a second referendum, noting they were “delighted” with the city council’s vote to proceed. Urban ONE Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Karen Wishart sent a statement reading, “We are encouraged that this vote will be different with council demonstrating they have heard their constituents’ call for greater clarity and transparency, and we pledge to work with the city council as they provide greater certainty about how the revenue generated by this project will improve the lives of the citizens of Richmond.”
Prior to the vote, Urban ONE Chief Executive Officer Alfred Liggins told council members the Maryland-based company has an established track record of bringing opportunity and equity to the community. Liggins said he believed the democratic process allowed for multiple choices and second chances.
Still, looming large is Morrissey’s effort to bring a casino to Petersburg. “Richmond’s loss is going to be Petersburg’s gain. Jobs come into the area, people are employed. It’s just an economic engine. The likes of which we’ve never seen before in Petersburg.”
Morrissey said he had supported Richmond’s plans to bring the One Casino and Resort project to the Southside. But, he said, “The people spoke. Over 1,500 was a margin, not a great one, but 1,500 said no they do not want the casino. So we pivoted to Petersburg. But now they want a do-over and essentially it says, ‘Well, we lost, let’s have a do-over.’ And if they lose again, how about another do-over and another one? That’s not the way the democratic process works.”
Morrissey revealed he called Liggins about locating a casino resort in Petersburg the day after the failed Richmond referendum. “That day or the next day we met with the mayor, the city councilmen down in Petersburg and the meeting went very well. Towards the end of it, Alfred Liggins said, ‘So I’m assuming I would be the preferred vendor to be the casino operator?’ And everybody looked at each other and the mayor said, ‘No. No, it is a competitive process. You’ll have to go through the process like everybody else.’ And at that point, shortly thereafter, the meeting ended, and the next thing I know Casino One is trying to get a re-do in Richmond,” Morrissey said.
Liggins confirmed that he met with Parham and Morrissey “shortly after the election when no one knew Richmond’s future intentions. I’ve had nothing but constructive conversations with Senator Morrissey and hope to continue to in the future. We both want solutions that will move the region forward and Richmond has put forth a plan that will provide tax relief, create 1500 new jobs and provide critical funding for education and community infrastructure.”
Parham commented, “The city has made no assurances to any gaming/entertainment company. The General Assembly must first grant the citizens of Petersburg the opportunity to vote on a casino-hotel-convention center complex.”
For the proposed Richmond casino project, Urban One partnered with Los Angeles-based Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, owners of Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County and several Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums across the state.
