‘Believing in the impossible’: Petersburg breaks ground on Live! Casino and Resort

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- Time to go "Live!" in Petersburg! On Wednesday, the Petersburg community hit a milestone years in the making as leaders broke ground on the new $1.4 billion "Live! Casino and Resort."

The celebration on Wednesday, March 19 was filled with smiling faces. Some people were current residents, others grew up in the city and made a trip back to their hometown to see this excitement. However, one thing rang true across the construction site, they were all counting down until 2027.

"It does take pride; it does take vision," said Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer for Cordish Companies, at the podium Wednesday. "It does take believing in the impossible sometimes."

This historic moment happened just weeks after the city got its final zoning permits and months after 82% of residents voted in favor of the large-scale entertainment project. The site is located just off of Interstate 95 and Wagner Road and, according to city officials, it formally launches the city head-first into what leaders are calling a new, bright chapter.

And for Terry Prosise, Wednesday's event represented a heartwarming homecoming.

"It's amazing to see people that you [have not seen] in a long time come back here," Prosise said. "People just got different careers and different things going on. They have the heart to come back to where we started. The whole town to bring the energy and love here. It's a big deal."

Born and raised in Petersburg, Prosise said he's excited for an era of progress, opportunity and growth.

According to project coordinators, in its first ten years, Live! Casino and Resort is projected to generate $2.8 billion for our region and $240 million for Petersburg -- plus 7,500 jobs.

Alexa Taylor told 8News that she believes the employment opportunity element is a big deal for her hometown.

"We've always stuck together as residents of Petersburg and hung in there through the tough times, because we remember the good times," Taylor said.

And -- according to Cordish Companies and Petersburg city leaders -- it's almost time to let those good times roll -- again! The project will bring 1,600 slot machines to the site, a 200-room hotel and an entertainment space seating up to 4,000 people.

Residents smiled and said it's days like this that remind them why they will always keep their faith in their city.

"It is time to go live in Petersburg!" Officials yelled out with joy.

The resort and casino are expected to open in 2027, but on Wednesday 8News learned the community does not have to wait until then for all of the excitement, as right by the casino site, crews are beginning construction on a temporary gaming facility that will open this year.