Surovell, Alcorn Clash Over Tysons Casino In TV Debate

TYSONS, VA — A proposal to bring a casino and entertainment district to Tysons has sparked a sharp divide between state and local leaders over the future of Fairfax County’s economic development.

In an interview with Russell Brooks on The Inside Scoop TV Show, State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) and Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) disagreed over the future of the Silver Line corridor.

At the center of the debate is Senate Bill 756, which would permit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to hold a referendum on a casino project.

Scroll Down To View The Inside Scoop TV Show Interview.

Surovell, the bill’s sponsor, argued that a casino is a necessary tool to offset "cratering" commercial office values. He described an $11 billion project with a tax-assessed value of $9 billion, capable of generating roughly $200 million annually for the county.

"We need to have an economic balance strategy that diversifies our revenues so we're not solely reliant on … raising taxes on our taxpayers to fund our schools," Surovell said. He noted that while the state currently takes a larger share of gaming revenue, he is open to negotiating a more favorable 70/30 revenue split for the county.

Surovell also emphasized "synergies" found in projects like Maryland’s National Harbor, arguing that Tysons currently lacks the entertainment infrastructure to compete for major venues like the "Sphere" recently attracted by Maryland.

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Alcorn, whose district includes parts of Tysons, flatly rejected the proposal, stating that "a casino makes no sense in Tysons" or anywhere along the Silver Line. He argued that Tysons is already thriving under a 2010 comprehensive plan designed to create walkable, transit-oriented communities — a plan he noted won national awards and never included a casino.

Read Patch's reporting on Comstock Companies' plan to build a casino in Tysons at Silver Line Casino.

"Putting a casino in Tysons near the Metro would displace other really important economic activity that's planned [and] that has community support," Alcorn said.

He noted low retail vacancy rates of 1.6 percent as evidence that the area is not in decline, which is how Surovell has described it.

Alcorn raised other concerns a casino could generate for the county:

• Social Impacts: Potential increases in crime and human trafficking.
• Location: The lack of "island" locations in Fairfax County that could isolate such a venue from residential neighborhoods and schools.
• Public Opposition: Alcorn said that within his district, over 1,000 residents have expressed opposition to a casino, compared to only six in favor.

Next Steps and Decisions

The bill’s immediate future rests with Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who has not yet publicly stated a position on the proposal. Surovell indicated the governor is currently reviewing more than 1,100 pieces of legislation.

If the bill becomes law, several hurdles remain:

• Site Selection: The Board of Supervisors must identify a specific location, a licensee, and a vendor before a referendum could proceed.
• Political Resistance: Alcorn vowed to fight the proposal, noting that no district supervisor has yet stepped forward to support a site in their jurisdiction.
• Referendum: Ultimately, the decision would go to Fairfax County voters, a vote Alcorn believes would "fail miserably".