Norfolk Casino Development Faces Another Postponement as Applicant Withdraws Request
The Norfolk casino project continues to be a fantasy for the Pamunkey Indians, a recognized federal tribe in collaboration with the city for its casino development. Residents endorsed the partnership during a ballot referendum in November 2020.
Virginia legislature previously granted authority for five cities - Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville, and Richmond - to allow one commercial casino resort with local voter approval. Norfolk city officials partnered with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and wealthy gaming entrepreneur Jon Yarbrough on a $500 million venture called HeadWaters Resort & Casino. With 65% favor from voters, the project moved ahead.
However, multiple postponements and design revisions have interrupted the project's progress. Initially, the plan suggested launching a temporary casino within Harbor Park, a minor league baseball stadium. Yet, legal issues arose concerning if a temporary gaming facility was lawful there. As a result, the Pamunkeys and Yarbrough returned to the planning stage.
In September, developers disclosed a temporary casino adjacent to the construction site near Park Avenue and Interstate 264. Then, in early July, they altered the plan once more, eliminating the temporary casino idea and replacing it with two-phase development.
Phase one would include a 90,000-square-foot building incorporating a casino, sports bar and restaurant, and a 1,200-space parking garage. Phase two would encompass a 300-room hotel and typical resort features.
Pulled from Consideration
The Pamunkeys and Yarbrough are currently seeking endorsement from the Norfolk Architectural Review Board, the first step for a commercial endeavor in a historic district. Their proposal is under review by the board, which subsequently advises the Planning Commission on granting a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the project.
The Architectural Review Board was about to consider the HeadWaters plan during its Monday night meeting. Nonetheless, the application was unexpectedly removed from the board's agenda following requests from city officials to meet with the developers on July 25th.
In a statement, Robert Gray, chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, said, "We are solely dedicated to launching this project as quickly as possible." He emphasized, "We will continue working intimately with the city and our neighbors to make this the best resort and casino in Virginia."
The roughly 13.5-acre parcel adjacent to Harbor Park still belongs to the city. In 2019, the tribe and city agreed on a $10 million purchase for the land if it was zoned for casino construction.
Status Undefined
It remains ambiguous which city official will hold the one-on-one meeting with the casino team on July 25th. The Virginia-Pilot unsuccessfully attempted to secure comments from Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander on the issue.
As one of four Virginia cities authorizing a casino, Norfolk is not the only one endeavoring in this area. Rivers Casino Portsmouth, the first permanent casino in the state, started operations in January. Permanent casino resorts are also under construction in Danville and Bristol. Temporarily, Caesars Virginia in Danville and Hard Rock Bristol have begun operations in locations where the future resorts are currently being built.
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Source: www.casino.org
