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HeadWaters developers scrap temporary casino plans
The developers of the $500 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk have scrapped plans to open a 45,000-square-foot temporary casino, instead focusing all their efforts on building the permanent casino, which will open before construction begins on an associated hotel and other planned amenities. “We have changed ou[...]
Buc-ee’s to open in New Kent by 2025
It’s official. Buc-ee’s, the Texas-size travel center chain, completed its purchase of property in New Kent County and will open its first Virginia location in the next two years, with three more slated across the state, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. said in a news release. A groundbreaking date for the New Kent site has n[...]
Richmond region launches state’s first tourism district
Virginia’s first tourism improvement district received approval this week and can begin collecting funds from Richmond-region travelers to fund tourism marketing efforts beginning July 1. Following Richmond City Council’s approval vote this week, the new tourism improvement district, or TID, received the necessary support to move forward. Designated areas that raise funds for tourism marketing […][...]
Richmond City Council passes casino legislation — again
Richmond City Council on Monday selected RVA Entertainment Holdings LLC — a joint venture between Urban One Inc. and Churchill Downs Inc. — as the city’s preferred casino operator, one of several administrative steps the city must take before a mulligan casino referendum lands on ballots in November, asking voters to r[...]
36 Va. companies make 2023 Fortune 1000 list
Thirty-six Virginia-based companies made Fortune magazine’s 69th annual Fortune 1000 list, notably including newcomers to the commonwealth Raytheon Technologies Corp. and Boeing Co. as Virginia’s second and third highest-ranking companies. Freddie Mac remained Virginia’s top-ranked company, at No. 45, and 24 Virginia companies made this year’s elite Fortune 500 list. Released Monday, the Fortune 1000 […][...]
Something in the Water brings crowds back to beach
Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water made a splashy comeback to Virginia Beach from April 28-30, although wind and rain delayed the music festival’s start, and lightning and a tornado watch canceled the entire last day. Organizers promised attendees a one-third refund for tickets, which sold for $125 to $600. Wi[...]
Va. casinos report $35.4M in April revenue
Gaming revenues from Virginia’s two casinos open in April totaled $35.4 million last month, according to data released Monday from the Virginia Lottery. Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which received its casino license in November 2022 and opened Jan. 23, reported $21.3 million in adjusted gross revenue (wagers minus winnings) i[...]
Caesars Danville opens temporary casino
Virginia’s third casino opened its doors Monday in Danville to hundreds of guests lined up to take a look inside Caesars Virginia’s 40,000-square-foot temporary casino. While the $650 million permanent resort, which is expected to open in late 2024, is being constructed next door, the temporary facility will offer gu[...]
Richmond City Council approves Diamond District
Richmond City Council members voted unanimously Monday to approve the $2.44 billion Diamond District mixed-use development, which aims to include a replacement for the 38-year-old stadium of the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team by the end of 2025. Councilors also approved an ordinance to convey 61 acres of city-o[...]
Richmond baseball stadium deadlines made public
Updated May 1, 6 p.m. According to a now-public development agreement, design work for Richmond’s new baseball stadium would begin this month and construction would start in August 2024 and finish by December 2025, if all goes to plan. The agreement also requires that the Richmond Flying Squirrels sign a stadium lease by J[...]
Rain and wind delay Something in the Water’s start
Rain and high winds delayed the start of Pharrell Williams’ Virginia Beach music festival Something in the Water by about four hours Friday, leaving fans and businesses waiting for the weather to clear. Scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. Friday, the festival was delayed until 5 p.m. Instead of being filled with throngs of mu[...]
Regional TIDs generate tourism marketing bucks
Tourism improvement districts are new to Virginia, but they’ve been in place elsewhere for two decades. Designated areas that raise funds for tourism marketing through hotel assessments, TIDs were passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021, and a Richmond-area TID is expected to launch this year. “There are more than 200 TIDs already in […]
