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A proposal to build an Entertainment District and Casino in Tysons Corner could bring more than 5,000 union jobs to our community due to labor agreements signed by the developer. We need your help in getting support from our elected officials – the Fairfax County Board and the General Assembly -- to approve a referendum to allow Fairfax County voters to vote on whether we want this project.
If you support unions, fair wages, money for schools, and good jobs for the working and middle class, SIGN OUR PETITION to get this project implemented. The 4 million square foot project includes a convention center, hotel with gaming floor, concert venue, restaurants, and affordable workforce housing.
The Fairfax County Jobs Coalition consists of unions and community groups who want to lift up wages and living standards so working people can afford to live in Fairfax County.
Q&A
Why are unions supporting the Casino/ Entertainment District?
The hotel workers union recently signed a contract that will give DC hotel workers more than $30 an hour with family health care and a pension. By contrast, workers at non-union hotels have to work more than one job to support their families, while they lack health care and job security. The Casino/Entertainment District would bring 3,200 good-paying jobs in hospitality, food service, and retail to low-income residents, most of whom are women and immigrants. This will allow them to afford to live in Fairfax County and work one job so they can spend more time with their families.
More than 2,000 construction jobs on the project will provide paid apprenticeship opportunities to our high school graduates so they can gain careers in the skilled trades. Agreements in place would prevent wage theft and abuse of immigrant workers that occurs on many local construction projects.
These union agreements are a unique, generational opportunity to lift disadvantaged residents into the middle class.
Why is Fairfax County Federation of Teachers supporting the casino project?
School funding is a huge problem in Fairfax County. Commercial tax revenues are down, and it is wishful thinking to believe that the state is going to substantially increase funding for education in Fairfax County. Revenues from the casino project would generate more than $100 million annually for the county to pay for education, higher teacher pay, and other services. No other potential development would provide that level of income.
What companies are seeking to develop the Casino/Entertainment District?
The developer, Comstock Holding Companies, is partnering with a Black-owned Virginia-based hospitality company, Thompson Hospitality. The goal is to include many local minority-owned businesses in the project.
What will the Entertainment District consist of in addition to a casino?
The project will be 4 million square feet, of which only 200,000 is a gaming floor inside a high-end hotel. In addition to the casino, plans call for a convention center, a performing arts venue, affordable workforce housing, restaurants, and retail.
What about the impact on traffic and crime in Tysons Corner?
Everyone knows that traffic in northern Virginia, including Tysons Corner, is an issue. However, traffic from the Entertainment District/ Casino would mostly occur outside of rush hour.
There is also no evidence that crime would increase in what is an extremely high-end entertainment venue.