An entertainment district is a bold idea for the future of Roanoke.
I love Roanoke, and I love that we are willing to explore new ideas, consider a variety of options and discover — together — what may work best to move us forward as a city and as a region. Historically we’ve had to take risks, pilot ideas and create partnerships dedicated to sustaining the vibrancy of our city and region.
The exploration of a bold idea to renovate the Berglund Center and add additional amenities to create a new Entertainment District is a risk worth taking.
An Entertainment District could feature new restaurants, a hotel, parking deck, community meeting spaces and significant upgrades to both the civic center arena and performing arts theatre. These additions would create an even better venue, increased parking and onsite amenities.
In the spring of 2025, a private investor approached the city with the idea of locating a casino in the special events center — with the casino serving as an anchor for the Entertainment District. This private/public partnership would do two things:
1. Invest $30 million in needed upgrades to the Berglund Center, and
2. Require the developer to invest an additional $300 million in the property for the casino and additional amenities.
With easy access to Interstate 581 and proximity to the airport and Amtrak, these potential upgrades, enhancements and new amenities make an Entertainment District at the Berglund Center ideal. In addition, these upgrades would benefit experiences for fans of the Rail Yard Dawgs and bring higher profile entertainment to our city and region.
The development could also positively impact the region’s job market. In addition to construction jobs, the casino and associated amenities would create over 900 jobs with annual salaries between $55,000-$60,000.
Additionally, a philanthropic arm of the private investor would focus on enhancing the surrounding neighborhoods and the city as a whole. The company has expressed interest in supporting restorative and reparative projects in the community.
As with any vision, significant steps are needed to make this idea happen. Regarding a potential casino, the city must receive permission from the General Assembly to be considered a potential site. If approved, a local referendum would be scheduled and registered voters in the city of Roanoke would ultimately decide if the casino should be part of an Entertainment District.
I’ve spoken with and heard from many citizens about the prospect of a new Entertainment District and the pros and cons of a casino. While many have expressed excitement about the economic benefits, others have lamented the potential addictive effects of gambling and upticks in crime. Think about what makes Roanoke special and explore with me private/public investment opportunities that could transform the Berglund Center into an Entertainment District. Transformative ideas are always met with a mix of enthusiasm and trepidation. Let’s continue to be a city, and region, that says yes to exploring ideas. Saying no doesn’t get us anywhere.
Our willingness to create opportunities for innovation in a flood plain resulted in the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, the VT/Carilion School of Medicine, the expansion of the Carilion Clinic and the new Carilion/Taubman Cancer Center. Taking innovative risks with new tax abatements, historic tax credits and rehabilitation incentives helped reinvigorate our downtown and increase housing from a capacity of 10 to over 3,000. Infrastructure investments to create a new, state-of-the-art amphitheater and art walk in downtown Roanoke, has given us a place to host all the remarkable and diverse festivals that make us a festival city. And supporting the vision of local merchants 80 years ago gave us our beloved and iconic Mill Mountain Star.
We are where we are because city and community leaders found a way to yes.
Let’s pursue the goal of Roanoke becoming an entertainment destination and explore, together, the potential for a new vibe and energy for our Berglund Center.
Joe Cobb is mayor of Roanoke.
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