Danville will move forward with Caesars Casino plans after successful referendum

City Danville, Virginia, secured a major development project with Caesars how it received overwhelming support in a referendum held concurrently with a presidential election whose results are still being contested . The City Council formalized its intentions to move forward with the project Monday when it certified the results of the vote, Virginia WSLS 10 reported.

The complex will include a casino and 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-foot convention center and a 2,500-seat auditorium. The casino will include various gaming devices, poker tables, table games and sports betting.

The City Council is already working to push the project forward

According to Caesars Strategist, Tony Rodio , the ceremony wmurowania The foundation stone will be laid at the end of 2020 or at the beginning of 2021, and the project should be completed in the fall 2023. Administrative work had already begun as city staff expected a positive referendum result and wanted to get advantage, said the city manager Ken Larking.

The City Council approved the project in September, but needed the blessing of Danville residents. Mayor Alonzo Jones commented that he was glad the decision was left up to the people so there would be no suspicion of back room deals. "We're really proud that we were able to put it back in the hands of the citizens after all the hard work, and the citizens voted and said they want a casino here in Danville." Jones said.

Caesars will pour millions into the local economy

Under the project, Caesars will pay the city $15 million z mountains, and the committee is already at work trying to figure out how to spend that money. The total investment will be $400 million, reports ABC 13 News.

The investment will create 900 construction-related jobs by the time it is completed, and when the center opens it will provide more than 1300 full-time positions, 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 resort is also expected to boost local tourism. Caesars has pledged to engage extensively with the local community and small businesses and will incorporate its Caesars Rewards program into the city.

Mayor Jones made a point to assure those who voted against the project that their concerns would be taken into consideration. "And I think as citizens see more of that, I think those who voted no will feel a little more reassured about what I think is one of the biggest things, is crime." - Jones said.