Norfolk’s Architectural Review Board heard plans for the first of two phases to build the HeadWaters Resort and Casino on Monday evening.
The first phase is technically a temporary casino, but architects estimate that 67% of the structure will be included in the permanent design, which will be completed with phase two.
“By law, you can’t operate a temporary casino for more than a year,” said John Thompson, a development consultant working on the project. Virginia Lottery can approve an additional 12 months if construction of the permanent structure is underway, he said.
“The legislature has said you may operate a temporary casino for 12 months. You can then extend that another 12 months if you are demonstrating to the lottery that you are complying with the requirements,” Thompson said. “And that’s what we plan to do when we’re ready to go.”
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 board will vote on the plan at its next meeting July 24. Approval would send the project to the Planning Commission meeting on July 27.
The latest proposal, released in June, scrapped two previous plans to build a temporary casino — the first to house a temporary casino inside the Harbor Park baseball stadium while the permanent structure was built, and the second to build the temporary casino in the parking lot.
The current iteration of planning lays out two phases for construction. Phase one includes a 90,000 square foot structure with a casino floor, sports bar, lobby and 1,200-space parking structure. The second phase would consist of a hotel, pool, spa, entertainment venue and other resort amenities.
The total cost is projected at $500 million.
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. Since then, there’s been little movement on the project. HeadWaters submitted a development certificate application for the new plans in June.
Architectural Review Board members questioned Johnson and Daron Andrus, a partner at HKS architecture and design firm, about the structure’s facade, pedestrian areas and parking garage, in addition to questions about minimum investments required of casino operators.
State code mandates casino operators to make an initial capital investment of at least $300 million.
The first phase would cost roughly $100 million, with phase two making up the rest of the requirement, Thompson said.
“We’ve been trying to be very responsive to generate cash for the city as soon as possible,” he said. “That’s what has driven all of these temporary facilities. And so we are working very diligently to deliver that.”
Cianna Morales, 757-957-1304, cianna.morales@virginiamedia.com
