Fairfax casino bill limits Tysons car dealership growth
Fairfax County’s casino project, led by Virginia Sen. David Marsden (D-Fairfax), has reportedly been modified to only allow gaming resorts to be built in specific locations.
Since last year, Marsden has advocated for Fairfax County in Northern Virginia to be designated as a qualified casino host jurisdiction. He worked with Del. Lane Williams (R-Stuart) won bipartisan support for the company.
While Marsden has yet to formally introduce Fairfax casino legislation in Richmond, the longtime state lawmaker provided details of the upcoming legislation to NBC4 Washington this week. The biggest revelation from Marsden’s interview was that he would limit betting options at casinos.
"Eligible sites ... are limited to proposed sites for casino gaming facilities that are located within a quarter mile of an existing Metro Silver Line station and are part of a coordinated mixed-use development. Located outside the Dulles Airport flight path, within 15 miles of Within two miles of a major shopping destination with at least 1.5 million square feet of gross floor area and outside the Interstate 495 Beltway.”
Possible locations are essentially limited to a former car dealership on Route 7 in Tysons, Marsden said.
Tax base shrink
Much of Fairfax County, especially census-designated Tysons, has ample office space. Marsden and backers of his casino push say COVID-19 has significantly reduced the county's property tax benefits as many workers now work permanently remotely, causing buildings to devalue.
There really needs to be a way to close the resulting property tax loophole," said state Sen. and Democratic Majority Leader Scott Surowell (D-Fairfax)."If we want good schools , the burden of making up for lost tax revenue will fall on homeowners, so the county needs additional revenue sources. "
Marsden said he is working to provide Fairfax voters with choices.
“I don’t want someone 10 years from now saying, ‘Gee, why didn’t anyone foresee the change in revenue conditions in Fairfax County and adjust?’” Marsden asked.
Big Odds
Many local governments in the Tysons area, as well as neighborhood and community associations, have spoken out against Marsden's bill. The Vienna City Council, the Reston Civic Association and the McLean Civic Association have all expressed opposition to the casino resort.
Marsden said this is not just a casino but an entertainment and business district offering hotels and conference space.
If Marsden's bill gains enough support in the General Assembly and is signed by Gov. Glenn Younkin (R-S.C.), Fairfax voters will have the final say on whether a casino resort in the county is approved. The county will put forward competing proposals to acquire land from interested developers and then put the project to local voters for a referendum.
A campaign to name the casino after Petersburg is also underway. The legislative effort is currently being led by State Sens. Louis Lucas (D-Portsmouth) and Rushreche Elder (D-Petersburg).
Four casinos have been approved in local referendums in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Danville and Bristol. Rivers Casino Portsmouth was the first permanent casino to open a year ago this month. Pop-up casinos also opened in Danville and Bristol.
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Source: www.casino.org
