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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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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Stafford County Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor addressed the pressing need for additional teachers as student enrollment in the school division continues to climb.
Speaking at the February 6, 2024, Stafford School Budget Meeting, Taylor emphasized hiring more educators to meet the growing demands of the student population.
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Historic Manassas, Inc. Director Kristen Kiefer highlighted some of its most successful 2023 events in her annual report to the city council.
The city’s annual Railway Festival continues to be popular. The June event celebrates America's best railways and features a partnership with Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express. This relationship will continue to thrive, she said.
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New and returning Prince William County School Board Members took an oath of office at a ceremony held at the Kelly Leadership Center on Thursday, December 14, 2023.
Their term will begin on January 1, 2024, and end on December 31, 2027. Four members will be returning to represent their districts: Jennifer Wall (Gainesville), who served as Vice Chair this year, Justin Wilk (Potomac), Loree Williams (Woodbridge), and Lisa Zargarpur (Coles). Three new members were elected on November 7 and took the oath of office: Richard Jessie (Occoquan), Tracy Blake (Neabsco), and Erica Tredinnick (Brentsville).
Tredinnick beat incumbent Adele Jackson in the November 7 General Election. Voters chose Jessie to replace his wife, Lillie, who did not seek reelection after serving three terms. Blake returns Diane Raulston, who didn’t seek reelection and was largely absent for most of her term.
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Whitehead, a wide receiver who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League, described his childhood in Georgetown South.
Whitehead said the Boys and Girls Club provided a positive environment where he could participate in different activities. This helped him realize he wanted to attend junior college, leading to his football career.
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Dumfries residents are getting a Wawa gas station.
The new station will sit at 3500 Pointe Center Court in Dumfries, just off Possum Point Road. In October 2023, the town council approved a conditional use permit to allow the gas station.
It scheduled a public hearing on January 9, 2024, to make a code amendment to allow the signs for the gas station. Dumfries town planning staff has recommended the council approve the amendment.
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Encouraging data in Prince William County Public Schools highlights improvements in chronic absenteeism and elementary school reading grades.
Chronic absenteeism is still a concern for students in 11th and 12th grades but has improved in other grade levels. The news led Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Latayna McDade to acknowledge the improvement. However, she noted the school division still has a long way to go to improve. The school division sent letters to parents encouraging them to send their children to school.
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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is still unsure how to fund Musselman Park.
Brian Southall, director of Stafford County Parks Recreation and Tourism facilities, heavily emphasized the importance of the Park to the citizens of Stafford. He showed a conceptual plan containing plans for a playground, trails, pickleball courts, and parking areas, all commonly requested by residents.
