Danville will move ahead with Caesars Casino plans after a successful referendum
City Danville, Virginia, secured a large development project with Caesars as it received massive support in a referendum, it was held in parallel with the presidential elections, the results of which are still being questioned. The City Council formalized its intentions to continue the project on Monday after it confirmed the voting results, Virginia WSLS 10 reports.
The complex will include a casino and a resort on the site of the former complex Dan River Mills Schoolfield. It will include a hotel with at least 300 rooms, a spa, fitness center, swimming pool, as well as a 35,000 square meter conference center and 2,500-seat auditorium. The casino will feature various gaming devices, poker tables, table games and sports betting.
The City Council is already working to push the project forward
According to strategist Caesars, Tony Rodio, ceremony bricklaying the cornerstone will be held at the end 2020 or at the beginning 2021 and the project should end in the fall 2023. Administrative work has already begun, as city workers expected a positive result of the referendum and wanted to get it advantage, said the city manager Ken Larking.
The City Council approved the project in September but needed the blessing of the Danville people. Mayor Alonzo Jones commented that he was glad that the decision was left to the people so that there would be no suspicion about back office contracts. "We are really proud that we were able to put it back into the hands of the citizens after all the hard work, and the citizens voted and said they wanted a casino here in Danville." Jones said.
Caesars will pour millions into the local economy
As part of the project, Caesars will pay the city $ 15 million with mountains, and the committee is already working trying to figure out how to spend the money. The total investment will be $ 400 million, reports ABC 13 News.
The investment will create 900 construction jobs pending completion, and when the center opens, it will provide over 1,300 full-time jobs, paying an average of $ 50,000 per year. Under the development agreement, the casino chain will pay Danville a percentage of gaming fees of no less than $ 5 million a year. The center also aims to stimulate local tourism. Caesars has committed to engaging intensely with the local community and small businesses, and will incorporate its "Caesars Rewards" program into the city.
Mayor Jones took care to reassure those who voted against the bill that their concerns would be heeded. " And I think when citizens see more of it, I think those who voted "no" will feel a bit more reassured about what I consider to be one of the greatest things is a crime "- Jones said.