Before picking Cordish casino, Petersburg letter said city preferred Bally’s • Virginia Mercury
In a surprising turn of events, a recently uncovered letter has revealed that Petersburg officials originally preferred Bally’s as the developer for the city’s new casino project, before ultimately selecting The Cordish Companies.
The letter, which was addressed to Bally’s CEO George Papanier, was sent by Petersburg City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides in early 2020. In the letter, Ferrell-Benavides expressed the city’s preference for Bally’s due to the company’s track record of successful casino developments and its commitment to community engagement.
However, despite the city’s initial preference for Bally’s, it ultimately decided to award the casino project to The Cordish Companies, citing the company’s extensive experience in the gaming industry and its impressive portfolio of successful casino properties.
This revelation has sparked controversy among Petersburg residents, with some questioning the decision-making process that led to the selection of The Cordish Companies over Bally’s. Many residents argue that Bally’s would have been a better fit for the city, given its reputation for community involvement and commitment to responsible gaming practices.
In response to the controversy, city officials have defended their decision to choose The Cordish Companies, highlighting the company’s strong track record in the gaming industry and its proven ability to deliver high-quality casino projects. Mayor Samuel Parham stated, “While we initially had a preference for Bally’s, we ultimately decided that The Cordish Companies was the best choice for Petersburg based on their proven track record and expertise in the industry.”
Despite the backlash from some residents, The Cordish Companies remains committed to delivering a world-class casino experience to Petersburg. The company has already begun working on plans for the development, which is expected to bring much-needed revenue and economic growth to the city.
As Petersburg prepares for the arrival of its new casino, the controversy surrounding the selection of The Cordish Companies over Bally’s continues to simmer. Only time will tell if the city made the right decision in awarding the project to The Cordish Companies, or if Bally’s would have been the better choice for Petersburg after all.