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Latest Norfolk casino plans feature scaled-back hotel size, single construction phase

This is now: A new rendering shows a planned hotel and casino near Norfolk's Harbor Park. The project's scope has been scaled back since first being proposed by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe several years ago. (Rendering by HKS)
This is now: A new rendering shows a planned hotel and casino near Norfolk’s Harbor Park. The project’s scope has been scaled back since first being proposed by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe several years ago. (Rendering by HKS)
Trevor Metcalfe.
UPDATED:

NORFOLK — Architects on Monday presented revamped plans for a Norfolk casino, including a scaled-back 200-room hotel, designed to be built in a single construction phase.

The presentation, by Daron Andrus with the HKS architectural firm, comes after months of silence on the casino front. Developers previously presented plans for a two-phase development approach for the HeadWaters Resort and Casino in July 2023, but withdrew the plans from consideration after city officials voiced disapproval.

While a timeline for construction and operation remains unclear, the new forward momentum could open the door for gaming to begin in time to meet a looming regulatory deadline, said Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.

“An initial building may open first, if that’s what it takes to secure the license,” Alexander said.

HeadWaters spokesperson Jay Smith previously told The Virginian-Pilot construction would have needed to start in the spring to meet the statutory deadline for obtaining a gaming license by November 2025.

The most recent plans for the development, presented to the Norfolk Architectural Review Board, include a casino, an at-least 935-space parking garage and a five-story, 200-room hotel tower on the 6.5-acre site. Other features presented include an outdoor pool and bar, a food hall with four or five restaurants, a sports bar, a steakhouse, a fitness center and a spa, among others.

Andrus said the hotel had been scaled back from 300 to 200 rooms due to costs and a market analysis study showing a smaller number of rooms would meet the developer’s needs. The design also is scheduled to be constructed in a single phase, he said.

Andrus did not say during Monday’s presentation how long construction is estimated to take.

In comments, review board members asked the developer to look into ways to make the glass windows safe for birds and to make the outside building design scheme more consistent.

Alexander said he was pleased with the latest casino design, especially the fact it would be constructed in a single phase.

In an emailed statement, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe said they were excited to take the next step in the design and approval process for the resort.

“This will be a resort experience of which the Tribe and the citizens of Norfolk can be proud,” the statement continued.

It has been more than five years since the tribe signaled interest in building a casino on a land parcel next to Harbor Park. Norfolk voters approved the casino construction in a 2020 referendum, which came with a five-year deadline. If the developer does not obtain a gaming license by that time, voters would need to approve another referendum. Some state lawmakers have told The Pilot they are open to the idea of extending the deadline.

State Del. Paul Krizek, D-Alexandria, who chairs a gaming subcommittee, said in an email lawmakers will continue to monitor the deadline issue. He also said he stood by to help the tribe, noting that it was one of the original proponents of casino gaming in Virginia.

In the years since the referendum, the casino plans were amended multiple times and beset by delays and an address-related legal issue as the developer struggled to begin construction.

Andrus said architects would be back in a few weeks to present more designs to the board. The casino developer needs approval from Norfolk City Council and other city boards before the project can move forward.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com

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