Norfolk casino developer details plans to Architectural Review Board The Virginian-Pilot

“For those worried about Boyd honoring the commitment to the city, we’ve not only honored it but we’re exceeding it from prior developers. This will be a $750 million casino resort,” Smith said. Plans for a proposed Pamunkey Indian Tribe owned casino have been announced. If approved it will be built in the eastern section of Virginia and 4,000 full time jobs would be created. The Pamunkey Tribe and the City of Norfolk signed two agreements Monday that advance the tribe’s plan to build a $700 million casino on the Elizabeth River. The Pamunkey Tribe has signed a pair of construction companies to build the tribe’s HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, Virginia. W.M. Jordan is a regional company from Newport News and Suffolk is a national company recognized for premier hotels.

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If the casino is licensed under Virginia law, the Tribe will be taxed per state law. The groundbreaking for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino project will come in the next few months. Norfolk Boxing + Fitness CenterThis facility has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

Norfolk’s long-delayed casino project breaks ground

“If we were to approve this at this level and never see it again, we’d have no idea that the finished project would look like what we saw today,” Rutledge said. The new partnership of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming are now working feverish with the city to save the Norfolk casino project before the November 2025 licensing deadline. In September 2024 the future of the long-delayed Norfolk casino began looking brighter. The Norfolk City Council has approved a revised development plan that has added Boyd Gaming as a partner with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Boyd Gaming is a multi-billion Las Vegas company that owns and operates 28 other casino nationwide, including Sky River Casino, an Indian casino near Sacramento. Approval would send the project to the Planning Commission meeting on July 27.

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The Pamunkey Indian Tribe signed a development agreement with Norfolk to build the casino. Norfolk voters initially approved the gaming facility in a 2020 referendum. HeadWaters submitted a development certificate application for the new plans in June.

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Joining with the council may allow for the project to qualify for federal grants. Both the state and the local community where the project would be built would benefit in the revenue sharing. The state could earn an estimated $1 billion from gaming revenue taxes.

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The City of Norfolk will sell 13.25 acres of land to the Pamunkey Tribe on a five-year option to buy. The Tribe will pay $100,000 per year for the option and $10 million to purchase the land if their casino application is successful. The Pamunkey Tribe would like to use both the boxing center and the restaurant to operate a temporary slots casino on the right side of the stadium. “We need to start construction in spring of ’24 to meet our statutory requirement of opening game operations by November 2025.” “Our continuous construction is in response to the city wanting to see what the entire project [looks like] and getting the whole thing built as quickly as possible.

Norfolk Casino moves forward with Architectural Review Board approval

• The resort and casino will sit on six acres of land between Harbor Park and the Amtrak station.
• The project will build a 90,000 square-foot casino and peripheral structure that will include a 45,000 square-foot gaming floor, restaurants, sports bar and entertainment venue.
• Baskervill is a Richmond-based company that provides construction, engineering and design.
• “If we were to approve this at this level and never see it again, we’d have no idea that the finished project would look like what we saw today,” Rutledge said.
• But while Wednesday’s ground breaking signals a major first step for the anticipated casino, Smith acknowledged it will still be months before construction crews are physically breaking ground on the plot of land next to Harbor Park.
• Boyd and the tribe subsequently presented a resort with 200 rooms and a casino floor with 1,500 slot machines, 50 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook.

The building plans must still be finalized and submitted to the city. Then the building permits must be issued before construction can begin. Alexander said council will approve the construction of the project as one detailed package, not in any piecemeal approach that requires multiple approvals from councils. Virginia allows the five casinos designated by the 2019 gambling law to operate temporary casinos during construction of a permanent casino.

Norfolk Harbor Park Stadium address is changed for temporary casino

One of the purposed for the commission is to ensure that the games are ran fairly. It also monitors the agreements made between the tribe and the casino management company. Located off of Interstate 64 and the Bottoms Bridge-Quinton exit, the property makes up four parcels. An LLC bought the land for $3.05 million according to tax records from the county.

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• City officials claim the address change is a “boundary adjustment” common in redevelopment project, and deny it is a specific remedy for the temporary casino.
• Blueprints show “best-in-class ventilation systems” to protect nonsmoking areas.
• The Norfolk Casino project plans will next be reviewed for approval by the Norfolk City Planning Commission.
• The temporary casino will operate 24/7 until the HeadWaters Resort & Casino opens in 2024.
• Alexander said he would measure this site plan submission against the original agreement, which has not been amended since 2020.
• The ceremony was held in the parking lot at the building site between Norfolk’s Amtrak station and Harbor Park.
• It details the casino site layout, site elevations, drainage, utilities, and road improvements.

Though smaller than advertised, that’s still considerably larger than city and state projections expected at the end of 2019. In the original agreement between the city and the casino developers, the city would sell about 14 acres of land for the casino project. The tribe has until January 2025 to purchase the land under the terms of the original contract. A phased development approach was next floated, with the permanent casino first opening to be later followed by the resort. City officials pushed back on that plan on the grounds that a phased approach could result in less than what voters agreed upon. Smith reaffirmed the building of a temporary casino at the front of the complex, which will open in roughly a year from the groundbreaking date.

Pamunkey tribe and Norfolk sign casino agreements

• Did the Norfolk casino project just drop its Headwaters Resort & Casino name?
• Norfolk city officials have changed the address of Harbor Park to allow for a temporary casino to operate inside the stadium during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino.
• If a casino license is not approved by the deadline date of Nov. 5, 2025, the Norfolk casino project will return to the people for a new vote.
• In Nov. 2020 the voters of Norfolk, Virginia authorized the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build a casino on the Elizabeth riverfront next to Harbor Park.
• The Pamunkey Indian Tribe signed a development agreement with Norfolk to build the casino.
• Building plans for the Norfolk casino have changed many times since voters approve the project in 2020.
• Boyd estimates that the main complex, which will feature a 200-room hotel, eight dining options, 1,500 slot machines, and 50 table games, will open by late 2027.

The owners insist on finding a new location before making the property available to the casino. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is building the $750 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino next to Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA. Details of the Tuesday meeting were not disclosed; however, both sides described the meeting as productive, and both sides restated their commitment the project. If approved, the HeadWaters Resort & Casino would proceed with the groundbreaking and construction in 2024. Hotel ChangeThe new plan will downsize the hotel size from 300 rooms to 200 rooms. The change is based on market analysis and will reduce construction costs.

Virginia: Norfolk’s long-awaited $750M casino breaks ground, backed by Boyd Gaming and Pamunkey Tribe

The total size would be 45,000 square feet and include a casino, a restaurant and a bar. The original plan by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build the HeadWaters Resort & Casino on the Elizabeth River next to Harbor Park was approved by Norfolk voters in 2020. Since then, there has been little progress towards city approval for construction. If a casino license is not approved by the deadline date of Nov. 5, 2025, the Norfolk casino project will return to the people for a new vote. The casino project is facing a November 2025 deadline established by the 2020 ballot referendum that requires the Norfolk casino to be licensed and operational before that date.

The City Council of Norfolk, Virginia met tonight and granted final approval for construction of the Norfolk Casino. The council voted 7-1 to approve the design of a $750 million casino and hotel to be built along the Elizabeth River at 200 Park Avenue. In Nov. 2020 the voters of Norfolk, Virginia authorized the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build a casino on the Elizabeth riverfront next to Harbor Park. Four years of delays have brought the window for construction down to just the next 12 months to meet the mandatory opening deadline. The law says the Norfolk casino must be licensed and operational no later than Nov. 5, 2025. In comments made after the Norfolk casino groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Boyd Gaming said it is committed to spending $750 million to build the new casino, hotel and entertainment complex on the Elizabeth River.

Chief Robert Gray of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe highlighted the historic significance of the project, describing it as an endeavor that connects the tribe’s longstanding heritage in the Tidewater region with a future of opportunity for growth. Previous renderings, released nearly 21/2 years ago before a whirlwind of state debate and a surge of potential competitors, included a soaring tower. Smith said the time for changes and new ideas for the property is over. Alexander said he would measure this site plan submission against the original agreement, which has not been amended since 2020.

Smith said the decision to shrink the footprint of the project was made because of ongoing discussions between HeadWaters and city staff about impacts of the planned seawall project being built along the downtown waterfront by the U.S. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming, the developers of the proposed casino, say the groundbreaking ceremony will take place near Harbor Park. NORFOLK, Va. — After years of planning, Norfolk casino project leaders say they will officially break ground on October 30.

“We need to start construction in spring of ‘24 to meet our statutory requirement of opening game operations by November 2025,” Smith said. Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened in January 2023, about 15 minutes from where the Norfolk casino will be built. A longtime opponent of the casino, McClellan took issue with the developers’ plan to allow indoor smoking. During its Tuesday evening meeting, the Norfolk City Council voted 7-1 in favor of moving forward with the project proposed by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Amidst Boyd Gaming’s addition to the project, an American gaming and hospitality company based in Nevada, the long-stalled project slated next to Harbor Park has been able to move forward with relative momentum in recent weeks.

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Further details about the event were not included in the press release. “We feel very comfortable and we’re just excited to be able to bring the project to fruition for the city and the Commonwealth and the Tribe.” PERMANENT CASINO FEATURESOpening date is Sept. 2027.The following features are the most recent disclosures about the permanent facility. Virginia’s casinos reported $56.56 million in September revenue, according to the Virginia Lottery. Groundbreaking for Norfolk’s forthcoming casino is set to take place Oct. 30, according to a news release Tuesday.

Norfolk Casino Gets Final Approval

The mailing address matches the same as a video game operator with a state approved license, named B&B Amusement of Illinois. The second agreement was a development agreement to regulate the construction and use of the property in compliance with state and local building codes. The “All In Norfolk” campaign to gather voter support for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino is officially underway. The Norfolk casino requires voter approval in the Nov. 3, 2020 election to authorize construction planned for a 13.4-acre site east of the Harbor Park baseball stadium.

• According to paperwork filed with the city, construction of the “transitional casino” would begin in late February 2025 and be complete by mid-October 2025, with an opening date targeted for Nov. 5, 2025.
• The city council’s decision includes selling 6 acres of city land next to Harbor Park to the casino partners for the casino site.
• The latter two cities opened temporary casinos but are set to open their permanent resorts this year.
• It entails putting in a temporary casino that can be operated while the permanent facility is under construction.
• It certainly appeared that way during Monday’s meeting of the Norfolk Architectural Review Board meeting and the casino’s design company.
• The City of Norfolk will sell 13.25 acres of land to the Pamunkey Tribe on a five-year option to buy.

“For those worried about Boyd honoring the commitment to the city, we’ve not only honored it but we’re exceeding it from prior developers. This will be a $750 million casino resort,” Smith stated. After years of anticipation, construction has officially begun on a new casino and resort project in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, led by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe in partnership with Boyd Gaming. The ceremonial groundbreaking, held outside Harbor Park, marked a major milestone in a venture that has faced numerous delays and revisions since its initial announcement in 2020. Newly obtained letters sent by Norfolk officials to the casino applicants detail what the city said about the two-phase construction approach the developer publicly announced in June.

• The Board agreed to reschedule the presentation into its January 22 meeting.
• If approved it will be built in the eastern section of Virginia and 4,000 full time jobs would be created.
• When the final decision is made about the casino location, the Pamunkeys will petition the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to take that land into federal trust as part of their reservation land.
• Eventually, legislators worked out a deal to license casinos in five Virginia cities — Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Portsmouth and Norfolk — pending the results of a local referendum.
• The group released renderings of a soaring tower alongside Harbor Park — a planned $700 million casino.
• The mailing address matches the same as a video game operator with a state approved license, named B&B Amusement of Illinois.
• Further details about the event were not included in the press release.
• The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is scheduled to host its grand opening ceremony Nov. 14, and Danville’s Caesars Virginia casino resort, a $750 million project, is anticipated to open by the end of this year.

In 2020, voters in Norfolk and Portsmouth approved casino gaming referendums in their respective cities, with Rivers Casino Portsmouth surpassing the first anniversary mark in 2024 while bringing in $250 million in total gaming revenue. But while Wednesday’s ground breaking signals a major first step for the anticipated casino, Smith acknowledged it will still be months before construction crews are physically breaking ground on the plot of land next to Harbor Park. The tribe wants to build a gaming facility with a hotel, entertainment venue, and spa. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is proposing to build a $750 casino and hotel along the Elizabeth River in the City of Norfolk. Last night the city council cast a unanimous vote to support the project.

Renderings submitted to the city show the completed building with a garage on the ground floor with more parking in an at least four story deck on the east portion of the structure. The casino has multiple eateries, and is facing Harbor Park and the Elizabeth River. On the east side of the building, there will also be support areas facing a road separating the casino from the Amtrak station. The renderings show the hotel overlooking the Elizabeth River with a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, meeting rooms and a 3,000-square-foot spa. If approved by voters, the Pamunkey will construct a casino hotel complex with 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games, restaurants, an entertainment venue and a 200-room hotel with spa. The Norfolk temporary casino would replace more than 300parking spaces with a 35-foot tall, single-story building.

Boyd and the tribe subsequently presented a resort with 200 rooms and a casino floor with 1,500 slot machines, 50 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. A temporary 7,200-square-foot pavilion tent casino will operate in the parking lot while construction occurs closer to the river where the permanent structure will stand. The Norfolk casino (final name is pending) will be a $750 million casino, hotel, and entertainment destination built on the Elizabeth River adjacent to Harbor Ballpark in Norfolk, Virginia. A transitional casino in a tent-like structure will open before the Nov. 2025 mandatory deadline to secure the gaming license. A permanent casino with 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, 8 restaurants, a 200-room hotel, and event center will open in September 2027. The HeadWaters Resort & Casino name will no longer be used, and Boyd is working on a new name and brand for the casino.

The Pamunkey Tribe has announced negotiations with the City of Norfolk to purchase 20 acres of riverfront property owned by the city for the purpose of building a $700 million casino and hotel. The next steps will be finalizing a casino license and securing the neccessary building permits. The groundbreaking is expected in the spring of 2021, and construction is expected to be completed by late 2022 or early 2023. The Norfolk Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit last week for a temporary casino to operate at Harbor Park during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino. The request was submitted by the Pamunkey Tribe, which wants to to set up the casino inside a vacant Hits at the Park restaurant and Whitaker Boxing and Fitness Center at the stadium.

Thompson projected beginning construction on the first phase by the end of 2023, pending City Council approval. Construction on the second phase would begin 12 to 14 months later, with the full project completed within 24 months of the start. The final norfolk casino go-ahead for construction came earlier last month when the Norfolk City Council granted a development certificate, their last required vote for the project. Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith emphasized the company’s aim of delivering a top-tier resort.

The casino plan will now be reviewed and voted on by the Norfolk City Council. If approved, the Virginia Lottery could grant final approval in its July 20 meeting. The HeadWaters temporary casino will operate inside the Harbor Park Stadium, where the old address has been 150 Park Avenue since the stadium opened in 1993. City officials claim the address change is a “boundary adjustment” common in redevelopment project, and deny it is a specific remedy for the temporary casino. Construction has not started on either the HeadWaters Resort & Casino or its temporary casino, and there is still no construction equipment on the site. According to Jay Smith, spokesman for the casino, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe hopes to reach an agreement with the city on the land sale within the next few weeks, and start construction soon afterwards.

Last September the Pamunkey Tribe signed two construction companies to build the $750 million casino resort. This week the construction companies hosted a contractor and outreach event to find local contractors for the project. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is seeking a location for a temporary casino to operate during the construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino next door to Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. State legislation authorizes a temporary operating license if the location is in the “footprint where the casino will be located.” Virginia Casino Licensing BeginsIn April the Virginia Lottery Board granted the first casino license to Hard Rock Bristol.

Ownership ChangeThe plan would replace the original development partner of the Pamunkey Tribe, Golden Eagle Consulting II, LLC., with a new partner, Boyd Gaming Corp. Boyd is a multi-billion casino developer and operator headquartered near Las Vegas. The Pamunkey Tribe would retain 20% ownership in the new partnership.