Roanoke is kicking around a bold idea: turn the Berglund Special Events Center into the anchor of a new Roanoke Entertainment District—with a casino as the headliner. City leaders say it’s very early, but they’re exploring what this could mean for jobs, tourism, and a facelift for the civic center we all know.
What’s being floated
- Location: Berglund Special Events Center
- Concept: An entertainment district with a casino, refreshed arena/venue space, and more food, lodging, and event options
- Jobs they’re talking about: casino and hospitality roles, restaurants, hotels, event services, plus construction during build-out
- City cut (as pitched): 6% of the first $100M in gaming revenue
City Manager Valmarie T. frames it as a way to bring in visitors and funnel new dollars back into neighborhoods, schools, public safety, and infrastructure. Mayor Joe C. adds that a stronger entertainment draw could support arguments for better rail and airport service. Again—this is the “ideas and due-diligence” stage, not a done deal.
How this would even happen
Even if the city likes the plan, a casino isn’t a flip-the-switch move. It would still need:
- state-level approval to let Roanoke host a casino,
- a local voter referendum, and
- licensing through the state gaming regulator.
Translation: years, not months.
Why Berglund?
Berglund already handles concerts, expos, and regional events. It has parking, highway access, and room to rethink the surrounding footprint. Tying a casino to an existing civic hub is the play some other Virginia cities made when they chased new entertainment dollars.
The pushback so far
Two local GOP lawmakers, Sen. David S. and Del. Joe M., call the idea “misguided.” They point to:
- the old urban-renewal controversy tied to how the civic center was built,
- a reported budget shortfall at the venue,
- recent local tax hikes, and
- crime concerns near the area.
Their bottom line: don’t solve one money problem by creating another.
What we still don’t know
- Who’s the operator? No partner has been named.
- Resort or right-sized? Are we talking a full resort or a scaled project woven into the existing complex?
- Timeline and costs: No build schedule, no price tag.
- Community impact: Traffic, policing, small-business effects, and how nearby neighborhoods would be protected or included.
Your turn: Roanoke, sound off
This would reshape one of the city’s biggest assets—and the debate will be loud on both sides. Where do you land?
- Do you support exploring a casino at Berglund—yes/no/leaning? Why?
- If yes, what community benefits should be non-negotiable (youth programs, neighborhood improvements, small-biz grants, venue upgrades, hiring pipelines)?
- If no, what’s your better plan for fixing the venue’s finances and boosting tourism?
- What protections would you want around traffic, policing, problem gambling, and neighborhood quality of life?
Drop your thoughts below. Keep it local, keep it real—this one’s going to affect the Star City for a long time.