THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412090604
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Five casinos have submitted bids to build an Elizabeth River entertainment complex that would include a riverboat for gambling, said Matthew James, the city's economic development director.
City officials said they hope the city will complete negotiations and enter into a partnership with a casino operator before the General Assembly convenes next month. Such a partnership is important because it would mean the casino operator could lobby for approval of floating casinos and a license to operate one in Portsmouth, Councilman James C. Hawks said when the city announced its proposal.
Earlier this year, the city requested bids for a riverboat basin and entertainment complex on 15 acres near City Hall. The basin, at the old Coast Guard Station, would include bulkheaded pier space for the riverboat, an upscale hotel, retail shops, an entertainment complex and the riverboat gaming operations.
The city also wants the winner to build a new Portsmouth Park on a 3- to 4-acre parcel behind the complex that would include an amphitheater and other recreational facilities and would serve as ``the front door'' to traffic coming from the downtown tunnel.
Also included in the city's proposal is High Street Landing, which would feature a new Portside Marketplace, a harbor, more bulkheaded pier space and a city parking garage.
Those plans are all part of a new economic development plan being developed with ideas from citizens, politicians and experts. The plan has not yet been approved.
Two council members recently voted against the city's legislative proposals to the General Assembly because the package indicated that the city wants to pursue a riverboat gambling license.
Del. Jerrauld C. Jones, D-Norfolk, said he plans to introduce legislation in the upcoming Assembly session that would allow voters a chance to decide whether to permit riverboat gaming in their localities.
Portsmouth is one of several cities interested in riverboat gambling. Richmond, Norfolk, Hampton and Newport News have all explored the possibility of bringing floating casinos to their towns.
According to the Daily Press, six companies this week expanded their proposals to operate such casinos out of Newport News. The new proposals came after that city's planning and development office asked that all interested developers spend $2.75 million on roads and other improvements. It has also demanded a minimum of $1 million to lease a city-owned site. by CNB