Updated renderings again released for long-delayed Norfolk casino

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — This coming Monday, the architects behind plans to build a casino in Norfolk are once again scheduled to be in front of the city of Norfolk’s Architectural Review Board, in an effort to start the long-delayed development process.

This will be the third round of renderings submitted to the advisory board since the Pamunkey Indian Tribe first announced its intent to build a resort casino on the banks of the Elizabeth River, next to Harbor Park, back in December 2018.

Two-thirds of voters endorsed the idea in November 2020, but since then not a speck of dirt has been turned on the roughly 13-acre plot of land.

The size of the project has continued to shrink over the years and last July t ensions between the development team and the city over the lack of progress spilled over into the public .

The new renderings once again show changes from the set submitted late last year. Mainly, the orientation of the building.

At last check the tribe, in partnership with Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough, planned for an at least $500 million investment with 65,000 square feet of gaming floor, a variety of restaurants including a steak and seafood restaurant, a hotel with a raised amenity deck with a pool, spa and fitness center, a ballroom, meeting spaces, and a 1,200-spot parking garage.

The name, Headwaters Resort & Casino , doesn’t appear on the renderings as it did in the past. A spokesperson for the tribe was not immediately available for comment.

The economic development project, planned for between Harbor Park and the Norfolk Southern Railroad line, was supposed to have been open by now.

Delays have been blamed on site complexity , as well as the pending Norfolk and Army Corps of Engineers coastal resiliency project .

Mayor Kenny Alexander on several occasions expressed frustration with past proposals that called for the project to be built in “phases.”

“There’s no agreement to what they submitted,” Alexander said last July. Alexander also said he was waiting to see a construction schedule.

The lack of casino development has caused the city to delay projects, such as the construction of a new Norview Elementary School, according to the city’s FY 2025 budget. Roughly 30% of the local gaming tax revenue, as well as the proceeds of the land sale for the casino are earmarked for school construction debt.

Time is running out. Under state law, the casino must be open by November 2025.

With that in mind, last year the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO reported Norfolk City Attorney Bernard Pishko said the city had “contemplated the purchase of the property by another developer.”

Del. Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach), who sponsored the bill to legalize casino gaming in the commonwealth, said that wasn’t allowed.

“I thought maybe they should read the state code,” Knight remarked at the time.

Neither Mayor Alexander, a city spokesperson or the spokesperson for the tribe were immediately available to comment on what may be different this time around.

Alexander though did share this statement with WAVY:

“Great news for Norfolk residents and visitors! The luxury casino resort project, approved by citizens in 2020, is moving forward. The developer has submitted plans to the Architectural Review Board (ARB), a crucial step towards completing construction and obtaining licensing by November 2025.

The City’s unwavering support and the developer’s expertise will bring a top-notch casino experience to the Elizabeth River waterfront, nestled between Harbor Park and the Amtrak station. The wait will be worth it, as the luxury casino promises to be a fantastic addition to the area!”

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