Bruce Smith Enterprise & The Cordish Companies Partners on Proposal to Codevelop $1.4B Transformative Mixed-Use Development in Petersburg, VA

Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies have responded to a request for proposal issued by the City of Petersburg, Virginia with plans to codevelop a $1.4 billion Live! Gaming & Entertainment District, anchored by Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. The proposed project will generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs and benefits to the local community, and become a major new tourist destination for the City and the Central Virginia region.

The proposed site is ideally situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 with easy access on and off the East Coast's major north-south interstate, making it the premier location in the Commonwealth. The partners also intend to quickly open an initial first phase casino within a year to begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits immediately for the City of Petersburg and its residents.

Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies' longstanding relationship dates back to 2008, and most recently the team has partnered to bring a world-class casino resort destination to the Commonwealth. The joint venture partnership is the first-of-its-kind in the gaming and entertainment industry to have a minority-owned business enterprise as co-development partner. 

The Petersburg ownership team, which makes up 50% minority equity participation, will become the largest minority ownership opportunity in the gaming and hospitality industry in the country, and will become a model for other projects in Virginia and throughout the nation. The team includes substantial investment from prominent minority businesses and individuals with a long history of residing, working, and investing in the Commonwealth including former Cox Communications GM and philanthropist Gary McCollum, former Philadelphia Eagle and University of Virginia All-American receiver Billy McMullen, and the Reynolds Family, founding family of Reynolds Metals.

Bruce Smith Enterprise, led by legendary NFL Hall of Fame member and Virginia native Bruce Smith, is a commercial real estate firm that specializes in the development of premier mixed-use projects. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company has developed notable properties throughout the state and the Mid-Atlantic region that feature the cohesive and seamless integration of residential, hotel, Class A office, and retail space. Since retiring from professional football in 2004 after a prolific 19-year career, the NFL's All-Time Sack Leader has endeavored to bring the same level of unparalleled excellence, diligence, and leadership that he honed as a veteran on the field to the management of Bruce Smith Enterprise. The successful development of timeless mixed-use properties that survive and withstand trends of the marketplace, strengthen, and invigorate the local economy and create jobs are core values of Bruce Smith Enterprise's primary mission. 

Bruce Smith Enterprise has flourished since its inception in 2004, partnering with Armada Hoffler in the development of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The Swedish Embassy, Harbourside Office Building in Washington, D.C., and Blocks 7 and 10 in The Town Center of Virginia Beach, VA. Bruce Smith Enterprise's portfolio also includes the Hilton Garden Inn and Smith's Landing apartment community in Blacksburg, VA – a project built to service the needs of students, alumni, and their families at Smith's Virginia Tech alma mater – as well as the Hyatt House Hotel and 27 Atlantic Apartments in Virginia Beach.

"I love Virginia. I was born and raised here. I attended VA Tech as a student athlete here, and after retiring from the NFL, I returned home with the inspiration and determination to help make it a more advantageous and prosperous place to live," stated Bruce Smith, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Prominent Virginian Developer and Community Leader. "I have spent significant time in Petersburg talking with students and the community at large. I've had the opportunity to hear first-hand their stories of hardship, and I understand the struggle and the enormous challenges they face. Working as a developer in the state for over 20 years, I'm confident that Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies are the right partners for this undertaking, because we share the same vision and understand the needs of the City of Petersburg and its citizens. Together we can do remarkable work in Petersburg that will transform lives, restore hope, and ultimately imbue a new energy of revitalization that will be felt for generations. Our proposal represents a historic opportunity to prioritize the Petersburg community and put Virginians first."

The Cordish Companies is one of the largest, most respected developer-operators of upscale mixed-use, entertainment and casino resort destinations in the United States. For over a century, The Cordish Companies has built a portfolio of world-class destinations and projects that span across several platforms including casino resorts, restaurants, hotels, sports-anchored entertainment districts, mixed-use developments, concert venues, luxury residential communities, coworking spaces, and more. The Company's Live! brand has dramatically changed the hospitality and entertainment experience nationwide, surpassing 55 million visitors last year to its destinations, many of which have played a major role in the rebirth of the cities in which they are located. This transformational effect has earned the Company an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence in recognition of its urban revitalization accomplishments, more than any other developer in the world.

In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed the most successful casino entertainment resorts in the U.S. including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL; the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, FL; Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland; Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh. The Company is currently under construction on Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana – the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market – scheduled to open in 2025.

"We are incredibly proud to join Bruce Smith and his team to present our vision for a transformational, world-class destination in Petersburg," said Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer for The Cordish Companies. "As our development partner, Bruce shares our core values in investing for the long-term and creating jobs and opportunities for the community. No one comes close to our combined history of success and capabilities to be able to deliver a destination of this scale and complexity. The Cordish Companies' track record for designing, financing, building, and operating large-scale mixed-use developments and casino resort destinations in the country is unmatched. Our success includes achieving every commitment, program, and goal in our proposals for cities across the country. We are committed to excellence, creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, and treating our team members and communities like family."

The Project

The Live! Gaming & Entertainment District – anchored by Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia – will be a catalyst for change and significant urban development, transforming the City through the creation of a thriving entertainment and hospitality destination. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will set a new standard for gaming, hotels, and entertainment in the Commonwealth, and serve as a new world-class attraction for Petersburg and the greater Central Virginia region. In its first 10 years, Live! Casino & Hotel will generate: 

• $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the Region
• $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to the City of Petersburg
• $802 million in economic benefits during construction
• $201 million in annual economic benefits each year after opening
• Over 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs

Upon completion, the world-class Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia resort destination will feature:

• More than 400,000 square feet of first-class gaming, hotel and dining space
• 35,000 square feet of meeting and convention space
• An upscale 200-room hotel featuring 20 suites, resort pool and fitness center
• 1,600 state-of-the-art slot machines
• 46 live action table games, including a 15-table poker room
• High limit slot and table areas and a sportsbook
• A 3,000-seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue for top talent from across Virginia and the greater region, as well as for meetings, conventions and social gatherings
• 8 best-in-class food and entertainment options, including 3 spaces that will be reserved for local Petersburg restauranteurs and businesses
• Free surface parking

Plans for the proposed project include quickly opening an initial first phase casino within a year to immediately begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the city. The initial phase will feature:

• 1,000 state-of-the-art slot machines
• 23 live action table games
• A dedicated 15 table poker room
• Casino bar and casual restaurant
• Over 1,500 free guest and team member parking spots

Job Creation

Live! is an economic engine in communities where its properties are located and places a high priority on hiring local residents. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is committed to making the same impact with the creation of 7,500 new jobs including 6,000 construction jobs and 1,500 new living-wage jobs averaging $70,000 in annual compensation with life enhancing benefits and career mobility.

Job opportunities will be available in every field, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance, and casino operations. Live! will partner with local educational institutions to provide training programs for jobs within the complex, including gaming and hospitality positions. The partnership is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Local residents will have ample opportunities to learn about jobs at Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia through programs such as:

• Pre-opening community-based job fairs
• Local job placement workshops
• Online job postings, job matching and customized recruitment services
• Contractor mentoring and apprenticeships
• Community-based information sessions on job opportunities and training programs
• Community College and University partnerships for job placement

Substantial Vendor Opportunities

Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will purchase tens of millions of dollars in goods and services in the region. As recognized leaders in community outreach with unparalleled track records of supporting local and regional businesses, Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies are committed to ensuring contract opportunities for local, MBE/WBE, and veteran-owned companies. The following are some of the categories of goods and services to be purchased:

• Gaming Operations
• Hotel Operations
• Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
• Engineering, Facilities and Maintenance
• Food and Beverage
• Office and Computer Supplies
• Professional Services

Community Engagement, Involvement & Benefits

Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will serve as a transformative development, creating maximum community benefits for the City of Petersburg and its residents. Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies have long embraced a strong approach to community integration and involvement. The partners are committed to supporting non-profit organizations in Petersburg, acting as conveners to assist community organizations and non-profits in their fundraising efforts and volunteerism, an endemic value to their cultures. Bruce Smith and The Cordish Companies are consistently named among the largest supporters of non-profits and philanthropic organizations in markets where they do business and recognized as valued community partners.

Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will provide substantial benefits to the community including:

• A commitment to diversity and inclusion in all facets of the Project including a comprehensive plan to ensure minority and local participation in ownership, construction, permanent employment and ongoing operational purchasing.
• Construction and vendor opportunities for local, minority, women-owned, and veteran owned businesses.
• Workforce development, training, mentoring, internships, tuition reimbursement and other programs through area community colleges, universities, and vocational schools to support local employment and career advancement.
• Apprenticeships and training programs.
• Marketing partnerships with area sports teams, businesses, and attractions to promote the City of Petersburg and surrounding communities through the nationally recognized, award-winning Live! Rewards customer loyalty program.
• Enhancement of hotel, dining, and entertainment amenities in the region to attract thousands of new visitors to the area.

Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will be developed, owned, and managed by Petersburg Community Development Investors, LLC. Authorization of a casino in Petersburg is subject to legislative approval by the Virginia General Assembly, Governor, selection by the City of a preferred developer and development site, and licensing by applicable Commonwealth agencies including the Virginia Lottery.

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