In Virginia, developers recently released conceptual drawings showing how the former Bristol Mall would be transformed into the proposed $50 million, 550,000 square foot Bristol Resort and Casino. The gaming area would be located where the 2-story J.C. Penney department store operated, at the mall’s front entrance. The former Sears store would be a large family amusement area. The former 2-story Belk women’s store would house the proposed convention center and the men’s store would become a spa. The former movie theatre would become a live performance space. A hotel tower would rise near the mall’s former rear entrance. A restaurant and buffet also are included.
Spokesman Rob Jones said, “We plan to build a destination resort that will attract visitors from across the region and beyond. While the casino is a part of this project, it is a small part, comprising about only 10 percent of the overall floor space once completed. Importantly, this will be a family-friendly resort with lots of amenities and attractions that appeal to the entire family, locals and visitors alike.”
The project would provide 2,000 jobs at first, increasing to 5,000 within seven years, Jones said. Lead investors are Jim McGlothlin, chairman and chief executive officer of the United Company, and Clyde Stacy, who purchased the property in June for $2.6 million.
In a move to assure opponents of the development, Martin Kent, president of the United Company, said, “We’re trying to tap into the latest and greatest security measures to ensure that we not only protect the casino, we protect the property itself and candidly, we protect the community. Again I really am not concerned. I think when it’s all said and done the community will see we’ve taken this issue very seriously.”
Kent added the developers already are creating a safety plan. “That would include everything from hiring local law enforcement, off-duty local law enforcement. It would require having monitors around the perimeter of the building to ensure that people are here for the right reasons, and having on site security 24/7.” Also, Kent noted developers have considered opening an on-site problem gambling counseling center.
The Bristol city government has expressed support for the plan. However, the state legislature must approve casino gambling and Bristol voters must approve it in a referendum. The developers, led by local business owners McGlothlin and Stacy, previously said they’ll drop the project if it’s not approved in early 2019, since nearby states also may approve casino gambling.