Norfolk On line casino Mission Faces One other Setback, Design Delayed
The builders behind the Norfolk on line casino challenge known as HeadWaters Resort & On line casino have requested further time from metropolis officers. The request comes earlier than presenting what’s hoped to be the ultimate building blueprint for the greater than $500 million improvement.
The most recent rendering of HeadWaters Resort & On line casino in Norfolk. The $500 million challenge from the Pamunkey Indian Tribe has but to maneuver dust greater than three years after metropolis voters signed off on the industrial improvement. (Picture: HeadWaters Resort & On line casino)
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is the popular gaming developer of the Metropolis of Norfolk. Native voters authorised a poll referendum throughout the 2020 election authorizing the federally acknowledged Tribe to assemble a industrial on line casino resort. It will likely be situated on the banks of the Elizabeth River adjoining to the Harbor Park Minor League Baseball stadium.
Over three years later, floor has but to be damaged on the on line casino. The Tribe was to current its newest building scheme to the Norfolk Architectural Overview Board on Monday. However the metropolis company stated the on line casino builders petitioned for an extension.
The Architectural Overview Board says it is going to now take into account the HeadWaters plan throughout its January 22 assembly.
Newest Setback
Gaining approval from the Architectural Overview Board is step one in solidifying the Tribe’s on line casino improvement plans.
The board is tasked with reviewing all new building initiatives involving land bought from the town or that instantly encroaches on metropolis property. The Tribe is planning to construct HeadWaters on roughly 13.5 acres of waterfront property that’s at present owned by the town.
Norfolk has tentatively agreed to promote the acreage for $10 million. The Tribe is working with billionaire Jon Yarbrough, a gaming trade veteran, in financing the $500 million on line casino.
The challenge, nevertheless, has suffered quite a few setbacks since voters authorised of the event. A short lived on line casino situated inside Harbor Park first precipitated delays after authorized considerations have been raised relating to whether or not playing was allowed on the adjoining property as a result of it has a unique mailing tackle than the place the everlasting on line casino can be constructed.
The Tribe then pitched a phased improvement strategy that may lead to a on line casino first, and a resort and resort later. Metropolis officers rejected that concept as a result of they wished the challenge constructed fully directly.
HeadWaters then skilled design delays after the state allotted appreciable funds for Norfolk to construct a 17-foot-high seawall alongside the Elizabeth River to higher shield the town from coastal climate occasions. The seawall challenge compelled HeadWaters to scrap its plans for a marina, which had been a focus of earlier pitches.
2025 Deadline
Norfolk’s on line casino improvement settlement with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe requires HeadWaters to open for enterprise by the top of November 2025. The town and tribe each have monetary motivators to fulfill the deadline.
Final month, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) revealed by means of his price range that Norfolk would obtain a further $21 million in state funding for the seawall challenge. However the cash gained’t be despatched till HeadWaters activates its slot machines. The $21 million is along with the $74 million the state beforehand dedicated to the infrastructure enterprise, which is formally known as the Norfolk Coastal Storm Threat Administration Mission.
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander instructed The Virginian-Pilot this week that he was unaware as to why the Tribe requested extra time to current its plan to the Architectural Overview Board.
