Norfolk Casino Project Secures Critical Approval From City Board
The Norfolk casino initiative aimed at a paved parking area adjacent to the Harbor Park Minor League Baseball Stadium received essential approval this week.
The Norfolk Architectural Review Board (ARB) approved the Norfolk casino design by a 6-1 vote on Monday night, located along the Elizabeth River. The initiative arises from the Pamunkey Indian Tribe along with its new collaborator, Boyd Gaming from Las Vegas.
ARB members sent the proposal with stipulations, such as additional details on how the resort will affect foot traffic, how construction materials will reflect sunlight and influence river views, and how the resort will affect the seawall project.
"It’s going to be an icon on the waterfront. It’s going to be a symbol on the intercoastal waterway,” ARB member Gregory Rutledge told 10 On Your Side. “It’s got to look right. It’s got to stand up for the test of time. These details matter.”
ARB is responsible for evaluating all development projects related to land acquired from the city or infringing on city property.
The Norfolk casino, pending full approval and authorization from the Virginia Lottery, the state's casino regulator, is set to be constructed on 9.35 acres of land currently owned by the city, which serves as a parking lot for the stadium. The city has consented to sell the paved land for $10.5 million.
Nearer to Building
The Norfolk casino receiving ARB’s approval marks a significant first in the resort project's prolonged journey toward completion. Norfolk voters gave their approval for the casino nearly four years ago in the November 2020 election.
The Pamunkey tribe initially collaborated with Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough to establish a casino on their sovereign territory located approximately 60 air miles north in King William. Following the approval of commercial casinos by Virginia legislators in five cities, including Norfolk, the city collaborated with the tribe on the business opportunity in return for the Pamunkey Tribe abandoning its tribal casino plans.
Yarbrough built his wealth via Video Gaming Technologies, a gaming manufacturer focused on creating electronic bingo devices similar to slots that complied with Class I and II gaming regulations under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Following years of setbacks mainly caused by design issues and legal questions regarding the location of a temporary casino, Yarbrough consented to sell his stake in the Norfolk casino venture to Boyd earlier this month.
Boyd obtained an 80% ownership in Yarbrough’s Golden Eagle Consulting II. The tribe keeps its 20% stake as Yarbrough leaves.
Golden Eagle will create, construct, and manage the Norfolk casinos, formerly known as HeadWaters Resort & Casino, though it has since abandoned that name. After the ARB approval, the project advances to the Norfolk Planning Commission.
Budget Not Specified
Norfolk’s agreement with the tribe stipulates that any casino must be constructed with a minimum expenditure of $300 million. Boyd states that the budget will be significantly larger, but has not disclosed a forecasted expense publicly.
The updated plan features a hotel with 200 rooms and a casino area that has 1,500 slot machines, 50 live dealer games, and a sports betting section. Boyd intends to launch a 7,200-square-foot temporary tent casino next year as work on the permanent resort gets underway.
Boyd will be trying to catch up to gain market share in the Hampton Roads area after Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened in January 2023. Rivers is only a 15-minute car ride from the location of the Norfolk casino.
