The effort to bring gambling to Dumfries is dead in the water.
The Town Council voted 4-3 to deny a conditional use permit that would have allowed an 18,000 square-foot Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, an off-track pari-mutuel betting parlor, in the Triangle Shopping Center at the corner of Route 1 and Graham Park Road.
The Town Council was hung up over one of the 11 conditions placed upon Colonial Downs, the firm that wishes to open the facility. It would have required it to give the town $100,000 upfront for transportation improvements for Route 1.
Councilman Charles Brewer wasn’t having it. “If we’re going to do this Rosie’s, we need to do this for everyone, and how many other businesses will be turned away if you place this kind of a requirement on a tenant moving into a shopping center?” asked Brewer.
He argued that, unlike a new commercial building or apartment complex, Rosie’s would be located inside an exiting shopping center, and that will not adversely affect the delivery of public safety services or traffic conditions in the town in the same way as a new development would.
After the motion failed, the council took about a 10-minute recess and then reconvened to reconsider the motion. Brewer motioned, again, to pass the conditional use permit that would have given the green light to he gaming parlor, and, at the same time, removing the $100,000 requirement.
Again, the motion failed 4-3 and the council adjourned.
Councilwoman Cydny Neville motioned for the adjournment and took issue with the council’s willingness to debate the issue after the original vote failed. “The vote was cast and that was it. This is called taking part in a democracy,” said Neville. “Is this going to be the new practice each time we see something on the agenda and we all don’t agree?”
Vice Mayor Monae Nickerson chastised Brewer for wanting to remove the $100,000 condition, saying that he had ample time to do so in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s meeting. “The moment that we are in now is to approve the conditions as they are,” said Nickerson.
“This is what I feel deters future businesses from coming here to Dumfries,” she later added.
After the motion failed, Town Manager Keith Rogers told the members of the council that they are now in uncharted territory when it comes to luring the gaming parlor. “There is no definitive next step after this meeting,” he said.
“For the council, staff, Rosie’s, and the citizens all put in a lot of work to come this far, and it’s a damn shame,” said Councilman Brian Fields. “We need to start talking and get some business done.”
Rosie’s in Dumfries would be the first of its kind facility in Northern Virginia. It would be open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday, featuring 150 horse racing gambling terminals, and a bar.
Colonial Downs has already opened four other Rosie’s in other parts of the state to include locations in and around Richmond, just outside Roanoke, and in Hampton.
Colonial Downs invested heavily during the November 2019 General Election, plastering the town with signs urging town residents to vote yes to a referendum that would allow the gaming parlor to open in the town.
A total of 468 people voted for the measure, causing it to pass with more than 60% of the vote, according to the Virginia Department of Elections results.
Recent Stories
Nearly 700 residents in Aquia Harbor are without electricity this evening as Dominion Energy reports a power outage affecting 697 customers.
After months of construction delays and missed opening dates, Signal Bay Waterpark will finally welcome the public back today, Friday, July 25, for a long-awaited soft reopening — and admission is completely free on Friday.
A fire broke out Friday afternoon at the LIDL grocery store on Liberia Avenue near Prince William Parkway, just outside the City of Manassas.
he Oak Valley Homeowners Association is sharply criticizing a Virginia Court of Appeals decision that upholds the Prince William Board of County Supervisors’ approval of a controversial land use amendment—despite what residents say was a deliberate disregard for public input.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
