Like so many once proud shopping centers, the Bristol Mall closed its doors. But if voters approve, the former mall will breathe once again as a Hard Rock casino.
On July 9, the Virginia Lottery Board pre-certified Hard Rock International along with its local partners, the United Company and property owner, Par Ventures as the prospective casino operator. The pre-cert means the city of Bristol will petition the Circuit Court to conduct a public referendum November 3 on whether to allow casino gaming at the vacant mall site.
The three principals each submitted detailed information that explained how they met legislative criteria established to permit casinos throughout the state, according to the Bristol Herald Courier. In the spring, Virginia lawmakers approved development of casinos in five cities around the state, including Norfolk and Richmond. But only if voters pass a citywide referendum.
“We appreciate the work of the Virginia Lottery in reviewing and approving our pre-certification application,” the Bristol casino team said. “Now we look forward to the upcoming referendum, when Bristol voters will have an opportunity to vote yes for the thousands of new, good-paying jobs and millions of dollars in additional tax revenue that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol will bring to the city.”
The project expects to generate 2,000 jobs with combined annual wages of $90 million, as well as produce up to $20 million in tax revenue for Bristol.
Portions of the revenue will go to other counties and towns in Southwest Virginia for economic development.
City Council approved a resolution July 14 to seek a referendum.
Submissions were required to include specifics about benefits and revenues, along with capital investment and financial capabilities of the principals; experience in the gaming field; economic development value; and reinvestment possibilities in the surrounding areas.
“I think not only Hard Rock but The United Company and Par Ventures exceeded the Lottery Board’s expectations when they presented their packet on June 1,” City Manager Randy Eads said.
As laid out, the Bristol Hard Rock will include as many as 2,700 slot machines, 100 table games, a sportsbook, a hotel with up to 750 rooms and suites, seven dining options, four bars, retail space, 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention facilities, a 3,200-seat indoor entertainment complex, and an outdoor entertainment version with a capacity of 20,000, according to Casino News Daily.
Other criteria considered were the availability of city‐owned and privately owned assets, such as real property; the best financial interest of the city and the proposer’s status as a minority‐owned business as defined in state code; proposer’s commitment to solicit equity investment in the proposed casino from one or more minority‐owned businesses and commitment to solicit contracts with minority‐owned businesses for the purpose of goods and services.
