Published on: October 9, 2024, 10:29h.
Last updated on: October 9, 2024, 10:29h.
Nearly four years after Norfolk residents approved the construction of a commercial casino resort along the Elizabeth riverbank near the city’s Minor League Baseball stadium, city officials have finally given their approval to the project.
During a recent meeting, the Norfolk City Council voted 7-1 in favor of the project proposed by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.
The 7-1 vote granted a development certificate for the construction of a resort and casino complex at 200 Park Avenue. Building permits are still required for the estimated $500 million project, but the council’s approval is the final major step before construction begins.
The City Council’s endorsement marks the end of years of delays due to design challenges and recent investments in a seawall to mitigate flood risks along the Elizabeth riverbank.
Councilor Andria McClellan was the only dissenting vote. Despite being a long-standing opponent of the casino, McClellan specifically disagreed with the developers’ plan to allow indoor smoking.
The other seven councilors believe it’s time to start construction and start enjoying the tax and economic benefits that casinos in four other Virginia cities are already providing. The Council’s approval of the gaming resort follows previous approvals from the Norfolk Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission.
Norfolk Casino History
In 2020, Virginia lawmakers and then-Gov. Ralph Northam (D) passed legislation allowing five cities — Richmond, Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, and Norfolk — to seek approval for a casino project through a local ballot referendum. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, in partnership with gaming billionaire Jon Yarbrough, had originally considered a tribal casino in a remote area of King William County, approximately 60 miles north of Norfolk. However, the tribe and city officials decided to collaborate on a casino project in Norfolk.
Residents of Norfolk voted in favor of the project in November 2020 with a 65% majority. Despite initial setbacks, the project progressed.
Challenges arose when the tribe and Yarbrough planned to open a temporary casino at Harbor Park while building the permanent resort in the adjacent parking lot. Legal issues prevented the temporary casino from operating at a different address than the permanent resort, leading to a redesign of the project.
A phased development approach was considered, with the permanent casino opening first and the resort following later. However, city officials disagreed, fearing that this approach would not deliver what voters had approved.
Yarbrough eventually sold his interest in the project to Boyd Gaming, a Las Vegas-based gaming company specializing in regional markets. The project was rebranded, and plans were revised to include a 200-room resort, a casino floor with 1,500 slot machines, 50 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. A temporary 7,200-square-foot tent casino will operate during construction, with the permanent structure located closer to the riverbank.
The resort will also feature five restaurants and 9,500 square feet of meeting space.
Casino Development in Hampton Roads
While Norfolk has finally approved its casino project, nearby Portsmouth was the first city in Virginia to open a permanent casino.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened in January 2023, approximately 15 minutes away from the future Norfolk casino location. The casino offers 1,400 slots, 24 tables, and a BetRivers Sportsbook, but does not have on-site hotel or resort amenities.