Dumfries Town Council approved the amended proffer agreement and memorandum of understanding between the town and Churchill Downs, owner and operator of The Rose Gaming Resort, which is under construction, six to one.
Under the new agreement, Churchhill Downs Group (CDG) would give the town $3.6 million, a one-time contribution in unrealized taxes due in 10 days, following the Special Town Council meeting on February 13, 2024, when the council agreed to the changes. Additionally, there is an additional $400,000 per month in lost tax revenue if the site does not open before August 1, 2024, as anticipated. The loss in tax income significantly impacted the town's finances and led to the implementing of an amended budget for the town, officials said.
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“A few moments ago, the Town of Dumfries Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the proposed amendments to the proffer related to The Rose. The vote was 4-0. The amendments and other commitments, as outlined below, will go before the Town Council for its consideration on Tuesday evening,” said Michael Kelly, spokesman for The Rose, on Monday night, Feb. 12, 2024.
Tonight, the Dumfries Town Council convenes to deliberate on pivotal proffer amendments concerning The Rose Gaming Resort. These amendments were recently greenlit by the Planning Commission, marking a significant step forward for the proposed expansion.
Outlined in the proposed amendments are various commitments and changes that could shape the future of The Rose Gaming Resort. Among these adjustments are provisions related to traffic mitigation, environmental impact, and community benefits.
According to the details provided, the proffer amendments encompass a range of key aspects. These include alterations to traffic management strategies, environmental safeguards, and community investment initiatives. Provision concerning public infrastructure enhancements and economic development opportunities is also up for discussion. If approved, the development will go forward despite the delay of a promised public park next to the resort, atop of old landfill on which The Rose is built.
For further details on the proposed proffer amendments and ongoing developments regarding The Rose Gaming Resort, you can read Potomac Local Dumfries Reporter Sarah Romero’s coverage: The Rose Seeks Gaming Expansion Amid Delay in Dumfries Park Project Approval.
The project’s original opening date was late 2023, but it has been delayed at least six months. Churchill Downs, the operators of The Rose, have not said why the project is behind schedule.
The soon-to-open The Rose gaming resort operators are about to ask the Dumfries Town Council for permission to install more gaming machines than planned, even if the greenspace they promised residents as part of the development won’t be built yet.
Churchill Downs, Inc., owners of the Rose, a 310-room hotel, video slot gaming parlor, restaurant, and entertainment destination, have submitted their original development package adjustments to Dumfries Town Council. The town council will hold a special public meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 17739 Main Street, to rule on the matter.
Part of the original agreement was constructing a park on top of the old Potomac Landfill, a construction debris trash heap off Interstate 95. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has yet to authorize the public park to be built, requiring the park to be located atop the now-closed construction debris trash heap next to Interstate 95.
The 62 acres of green space are expected to include seven acres of a public park, consisting of a multi-sports field, dog park, and children’s play area with restrooms and parking. The Gaming resort may proceed with opening its resort even if the delay in the park’s opening is beyond Churchill Downs, Inc.’s control.
Churchill Downs spokesman Michael Kelly announced the new commitments in a press release on February 9. He reiterated the allegiance between Churchill Downs, Inc. and Dumfries. Modifying the original plans includes a binding agreement to the opening of Phase Two of the project and $2 million to support the design of a new community center in exchange for branding rights to the community center.
As a nod to the building delay, Churchill Downs, Inc. will pay Dumfries Town Council $3.6 million in lost tax revenue and $400,000 monthly if the gaming resort fails to open by July 31, 2024. Churchhill Downs has not provided a reason for the delay.
In September 2023, Potomac Local was the first to tell you The Rose would be delayed six months from its original opening date of late 2023.
Churchill Downs, Inc. will also guarantee that it will hire local staff as much as possible and provide a starting salary of at least $15 per hour.
Kelly describes the new package as “an exciting development of new commitments as we approach the opening of the Rose, ”which further cements the relationship between the Dumfries and Churchill Downs, Inc. In exchange for the new package of concessions, Churchill Downs seeks to install additional slot machines in their gaming parlor.
Dumfries Planning Commission will hold a public meeting tonight, Monday, February 12, at 7 o’clock. to discuss the revised application and will report its recommendations to Dumfries Town Council. The Council has been asked to react to the Planning Council recommendations and the proposed proffer amendment “based on public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice,” according to a staff report in the Dumfries Town Council agenda.
Town Mayor Derrick Wood stated in a press release the new changes are positive and “reflect a shared dedication to the growth and enrichment of our town,”
Rosies Gaming Emporium opened in January 2021, putting Dumfries on the map as a gambling destination and a home for video slot machines. When its much larger predecessor, The Rose, eventually opens, it will feature video slot machines, bars and restaurants, conference space, and 310 hotel rooms.
Sarah Romero is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.
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Prince William Times: ‘Manassas Park voters handily rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed a new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium to open in their independent city, a result officials said was likely the result of a distaste for gambling as well as possible confusion over ballot wording using the phrase “pari-mutuel” wagering.”
“Churchill Downs Incorporated, which owns Rosie’s, had hoped to open a gaming parlor in the Manassas Park Shopping Center similar to the one in Dumfries. Rosie’s offers slot-like betting machines that are based on historical horse races. Pari-mutuel betting creates a pool of winnings based on the money wagered.”
Prince William Chamber of Commerce: “Colonial Downs Group announces $50,000 donation to The Prince William Chamber Foundation. The celebration of the donation took place October 25th at Preston’s Pub in Manassas Park.”
“The press conference marks the first major donation to The Prince William Chamber Foundation, recently launched by the Prince William Chamber Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the new Foundation is to encourage and support business development through workforce development, education, community outreach, and through larger service. Programming for the Foundation focuses on the three pillars of first responders and veterans, women, and workforce education.”
Churchill Downs, owners of Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in the Triangle Shopping Center in Dumfries and soon-t0-open The Rose Gaming Resort nearby, announced its plans to open a Rosies in the Manassas Park Shopping Center, home furniture and discount stores, and a Guapo’s restaurant.
The Rose, the first gaming resort in Northern Virginia, will open later than anticipated.
Colonial Downs, the firm that operates Rosie's Gaming Emporium in Dumfries, will manage the gaming, hotel, and conference center when it opens in Dumfries sometime in the middle of 2024. The firm had originally planned to open the center at the end of 2023.
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Press Release: “Churchill Downs Incorporated announced today the promotion of Bobbi Sample to General Manager of The Rose Gaming Resort  in Dumfries.”
“In this role, Sample will oversee all operations of The Rose that will include a luxury hotel, eight bars and restaurants, a cultural venue, meeting and event space and over 80 acres of green space. The Rose is expected to open in Spring 2024.”
You can find the resort at 18069 Triangle Shopping Plaza, Dumfries.
“Sample is a veteran hospitality operator who brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the gaming and entertainment industries, most recently serving as the General Manager for Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin, Maryland, where she assisted in opening the $54 million casino property and hiring and training 200 team members.”
“Sample is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Prior to her employment with CDI, Sample held leadership positions at Delaware Park Casino and Racetrack and White Clay Creek Country Club at Delaware Park.”
“Sample’s promotion is effective immediately. CDI has initiated a search to fill the position of General Manager of Ocean Downs Casino.”
Churchill Downs Inc.: “Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) announced today a formal court order has been issued placing a pari-mutuel referendum on the Manassas Park ballot on November 7. The order follows a successful petition drive to gain signatures of at least 5% of the registered voters in the city asking that the matter be placed on this fall’s ballot.”
“Speaking about the strong local support for the petition effort and the upcoming election, CDI Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen stated, “Churchill Downs is excited to have this opportunity to bring our iconic brand and this new entertainment opportunity to Manassas Park.”
Churchill Downs operates another Rosies Gaming Emporium in Dumfries, where gamblers go to play video slot machines. The Rose — a 300-room gambling hotel and resort located in Dumfries — will begin opening in phases in December.
The Dumfries Town Council approved a request to add more video slot machines at Rosies Gaming Emporium.
During a July 11, 2023 meeting, the town council allowed the gaming parlor to add ten more machines, for a total of 170.
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