ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Roanoke city officials revealed new details about a proposed casino and entertainment district at a focus group meeting Thursday night. This included plans for the casino operator to purchase only the Berglund Center’s special events center while the city maintains ownership of the rest of the facility.
If the city receives approval for a casino, the operator would be required to invest $300 million into the entertainment district. That money would be used to update the entire complex, not just the special events center. The investment would include building a parking garage and hotel.
The casino would be expected to bring around 800 to 1,000 jobs. City officials said the casino is just one piece of the entertainment district, with plans to build hotels and restaurants around it. The city said over 90% of the revenues coming from gaming, lodging, and meals taxes would be created by spending from visitors, not Roanoke citizens…