A recent bill is making its way through the House in Virginia, calling for the development of a casino complex in Fairfax County. The proposal is sponsored by State Sen. Dave Marsden and asks for residents of the county to vote on a referendum, which if approved, will permit the development of a casino in Tyson’s Corner. Besides a casino, the structure may also include a conference center as well as entertainment facilities which can be used for different events such as concerts.

Initially, the proposal called for the casino to be located in Reston. However, it faced strong opposition from the Reston Citizens Association. In fact, earlier this month, a group of opponents against the proposed casino plan for Reston gathered outside Fairfax County Government Center and placed signs. Moreover, they voiced their concerns that the proposed development is against the area’s planning principles, media reports revealed at the time.

Now, the debate regarding the proposal continues to intensify with opponents voicing further concerns. Jeff McKay, the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who was interviewed by DC News Now, criticized the proposal. He outlined that prior to the introduction of the bill, there were limited discussions with stakeholders, including the Fairfax County board.

Moreover, McKay said that he was able to see the proposal only a day before it was introduced, leaving insufficient time for any changes. He explained: “None of those groups have come formally, sat down with me and said, ‘Hey, here’s what we’re proposing. This is what our bill looks like. Will Fairfax County engage in conversations with us?”

A Casino May Bring More Problems Than Benefits

When it comes to the proceeds from a potential casino in Tyson’s Corner, McKay was also skeptical. He revealed that where casinos are available, usually, a 25% tax revenue is applicable. According to McKay, this tax rate is “not a good deal for the people of Fairfax County.”

He estimated that the county would benefit from $50 million if the casino in the area makes $200 million. The chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said that this revenue is not worth it, especially considering the potential problems a casino may bring to the area.

Opponents of the idea have also voiced their concerns, highlighting that a casino may result in an uptick in criminal activities. Others warned that a casino in Fairfax County may result in increased traffic and impact other businesses in the area.

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Virginia State Senator Dave Marsden has reintroduced a bill that could pave the way for the construction of a resort-style casino, reminiscent of MGM National Harbor. 

Sen. Marsden’s Revised Casino Bill Targets Tysons Location

Sen. Marsden’s earlier attempt to introduce a similar bill faced setbacks, prompting a strategic revision to address concerns from residents, particularly in Reston. The new proposal is stringent about the casino’s placement, limiting it to Tysons and excluding Reston from consideration, reported NBC Washington.

The bill specifies that the eligible location for the casino must be within one-quarter of a mile of an existing station on the Metro Silver Line, part of a coordinated mixed-use project development, outside the Dulles airport flight path, within two miles of a major shopping destination containing at least 1.5 million square feet of gross building area, and outside the Interstate 495 Beltway. Notably, the bill singles out a particular parcel in Tysons — the site of a defunct auto dealership on Route 7.

The legislative journey for this proposal involves several steps. First, the bill must navigate through both chambers of Virginia’s General Assembly and gain the signature of Gov. Glenn Youngkin. When asked about his stance on the matter, a spokesperson for Gov. Youngkin conveyed that he would review any legislation presented to him.

Should the bill receive approval, it would then proceed to the county level, where the county board would need to request a referendum. This referendum would allow Fairfax County voters to voice their opinion on whether they support the establishment of a casino. If the majority approves, the county would initiate a competitive bidding process for interested developers, who would subsequently seek a casino operator for the venture.

Uncertainties Surround Fairfax Casino Proposal Despite Economic Promise

Some proponents of the casino envision a comprehensive development that goes beyond mere gambling, including a convention center, hotels, restaurants, office space, and residences. This ambitious project aims to address the decline in commercial real estate tax revenue, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left a void in funding for county resources.

State Senator and Democratic Majority Leader Scott Surovell stressed the importance of securing additional revenue sources to prevent homeowners from bearing the burden. He asserted that to maintain quality education, the responsibility of compensating for lost tax revenue would inevitably shift to homeowners, underscoring the county’s requirement for diversifying its revenue streams.

Despite the potential economic benefits and job creation outlined in a 2019 study by Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, there is considerable opposition from local governments and community associations in the Tysons region. The path to establishing a casino in Fairfax County remains uncertain, and the proposal’s fate hinges on legislative approval and the voice of the county’s voters.

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There have been several moves that indicate that Comstock Holding Companies Inc. is gearing up to do just that with the media outlet citing evidence that the company has hired six lobbyists who should help argue its case when the Virginia General Assembly session commences on January 10, 2024.

Communicating Readiness to Build a Project If and When

However, this is not the only strategic move exacted by the developer, which is also said to have donated over $500,000 to various political candidates in a bid to secure legislative goodwill and push its case for the construction of a new casino.

The move comes at a time when the fight over who will get to build a casino in Fairfax County is intensifying and there has been sustained interest in the development of one, with Comstock Holding Companies Inc. not lacking any motivation to continue despite the challenges.

All lobbyists will focus exclusively on defending Comstock’s interests during the upcoming session. The Patch noted that Comstock had donated $244,500 to the Building a Remarkable Virginia Political Action Committee.

The media also specified that 14 Comstock employees had donated $29,525 to Del. Wren Williams’s political campaign, with the lawmaker introducing a bill that would have allowed the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to propose a casino referendum on a future ballot. Williams though had been working on a bill prior to the donations it seems.

Comstock is a Fairfax County developer with supposedly well-established connections in the area and is also keen to continue securing work.

Donations and a Long Process That Ultimately Lies with Voters

Another donation was made to Dave Marsden who was also working on a bill seeking to bring a casino project to reality. Altogether, none of these donations raises any red flags, but they indicate that Comstock is very much willing and keen to see a bill that allows it to build in the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station area or around it.

Ultimately, however, the decision would most likely lie with voters as the bills, as they are outlined, are ultimately only going to give the public a right to determine if they want a casino. Comstock has already outlined its plans for a casino in Reston and has indeed presented detailed plans in September 2023, but a final push is still to come – both on the legislative front and then at the ballots.

Comstock’s donations may be trying to steer the ship in a direction that aligns with the company’s business interests, but it will ultimately be a decision made by Fairfax County residents whether a casino property will be arriving any time soon. Plans to open casinos are already underway in Bristol, Portsmouth, and Danville, with further plans discussed in Norfolk and Richmond.

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