Read Councilperson Kristen Larson’s Letter Opposing Bally’s Casino Project

In addition the VPM article we posted earlier today we have now seen Councilperson Larson take a much stronger position of opposition to the proposed Stratford Hill’s Bally’s Casino.

Dear Resort Casino RFP Team:

I am writing you regarding Wednesday’s late day announcement to short-list Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort. This project was proposed without any input from my office or the community. I found out about the two casino proposed in the 4th district via the news media.

To gather feedback and share information, I held a meeting with 4th district residents on March 18th. Additionally I meet with Bally’s leadership team on Wednesday of this week to receive a briefing from their group on the project.

Since the project was introduced, I have received an overwhelming number of emails and phone calls from residents sharing opposition to this project. After the district meeting last week and the announcement of this project making the final round, these concerns have been amplified. While the reasons for opposition are wide ranging, access and traffic impacts for that parcel are a huge issue for the district. I have not received any reassurances on these issues in my discussions with Bally’s leadership team or the city administration.

I also have grave concerns that one of the closest neighbors of the casino will be Gravel Hill Baptist Church, a well-established church that has been in our community for nearly 150 years. Many of the church members (who are also 4th district residents) have expressed concerns about this development and the impact it would have on their community space and place of worship.

For these reasons and more, I cannot support this proposal for Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort in the Forest Hill/Chippenham/Powhite area. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at [email protected] or call (804)503-1313.

Sincerely,
Kristen Nye Larson
Councilmember