Identity of Casino Developer Eyeing Roanoke’s Berglund Center Remains Secret

The Roanoke City Council hosted a lengthy public hearing on Monday (Aug. 17) about a proposed redevelopment of the Berglund Center into an entertainment district with a casino and hotel. The Berglund Center in Roanoke is seen in July 2022 in Virginia. Some Roanoke city officials want to bet on a casino resort at the city-owned events center. (Image: Shutterstock) A casino developer approached the city last fall with plans to overhaul the Berglund Center, but the firm’s identity remains a secret. Monday night’s meeting offered no new answers. During the discussion, city officials highlighted the urgent need to address more than $31 million in deferred maintenance on the city-owned, 10,500-seat multipurpose arena. The City Council has been exploring transforming the complex into a casino-anchored entertainment district with an accompanying hotel since receiving the initial proposal last October. In February, the Council confirmed it accepted $75,000 from the developer, but a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) prevents officials from revealing who provided the funds or how they will be spent. City leaders clarified only that the money will not fund a $6,000-per-month lobbying contract signed with a consulting firm to push state lawmakers for Roanoke casino authorization. Roanoke Casino Projections Economic Development Director Marc Nelson presented details on how a casino hotel at the Berglund Center could benefit the city. Nelson projects that a minimum $300 million investment would generate annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) between $135 million and $180 million, producing $15 million to $25 million in local tax revenue. He estimates the project would create 800 to 1,000 permanent jobs with average annual wages of $55,000. Under the proposal, the developer would construct a parking garage to maximize on-site development, opening space for a hotel and public greenspace. The developer would also agree to fund required repairs at the Berglund Center to restore it as a premier stop for national tours. The city would retain ownership of the overall venue, while the 46,000-square-foot Special Events Center would be converted into a casino hotel amenity. City Councilor Phazhon Nash, who leads the entertainment district task force, reported that 36% of surveyed residents support a casino to save the facility, while 27% oppose it and 36% remain undecided. “We have the opportunity to determine the future of the Berglund Center,” Nash said. Critical Facility Needs Berglund Center General Manager Robyn Schon informed the Council that the most pressing need is replacing 28 air-handling units (AHUs), an estimated $9 million project that must be completed all at once. The existing AHUs are original to the 1970s facility and were built by a defunct manufacturer, making replacement parts impossible to source. The units are essential for air circulation, filtration, temperature control, and humidity management. “This equipment has to be replaced sometime soon. I don’t know that we can wait another three to five years,” Schon said. Additional deferred maintenance includes $5 million for a main electrical panel, $3.6 million for roof replacement, $2 million for a boiler, and $2 million for repaving. The post Identity of Casino Developer Eyeing Roanoke’s Berglund Center Remains Secret appeared first on Casino.org.