The Norfolk casino project has hit the jackpot with a significant stride forward. The city’s Architectural Review Board (ARB) has dealt a winning hand by giving its initial seal of approval, despite lingering design elements that still need to be shuffled into place.
Norfolk Casino Faces Push for Design Tweaks Before Hitting the Jackpot
The pulse of the city’s development, the ARB, scored the casino project a solid approval with a favorable 6-1 vote, WAVY-TV reported. This move advances the project closer to the discerning eye of the Norfolk Planning Commission. Yet, city dwellers and critics alike are holding their breath, anxiously discussing the ripple effects this casino might have on its scenic surroundings. Their main bets? Bird safety and the casino’s visual harmony with the waterfront.
This ambitious endeavor is a collaboration between The Pamunkey Indian Tribe and casino heavyweight Boyd Gaming from Las Vegas. Boyd Gaming acquired a commanding 80% stake in the venture from Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough, who previously teamed up with the Pamunkey Tribe to roll out a casino plan in King William County. The Norfolk casino, destined for a prime 9.35-acre location near Harbor Park, has effectively reshuffled earlier plans for a tribal casino, pinning its hopes on Norfolk as one of five Virginia cities green-lit to operate commercial casinos after the 2020 public vote.
ARB members underscored the critical need to lock in final design details before dealing out full approval. Gregory Rutledge, an ARB member, emphasized the landmark potential of this waterfront project. “This casino is a future icon for our city, but it needs a design that’s built to stand the test of time,” he stressed. Rutledge expressed concerns over current plans which, while visually appealing, lack crucial details about material choices and integration with natural sunlight and pedestrian pathways. The ARB has requested further design refinements, which will undergo scrutiny in the next stage.
Environmental Advocates Lobby for Bird-Safe Lighting in Casino Blueprint
Environmental groups raised the stakes on ecological matters during the ARB’s review. The Cape Henry Audubon Society voiced fears that the casino might become a hazard for migrating birds, disorienting them and potentially causing crashes due to its lighting. Pat Scanlon, representing the society, urged developers to incorporate more bird-friendly lighting and design elements.
Despite these nature-centric concerns, the project marks a high-stakes deal for Norfolk, which pocketed $10.5 million from the land sale. The casino plans include a 200-room hotel, 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, and a vibrant sportsbook area. Boyd Gaming is even laying its cards on the table with plans to launch a temporary casino next year while the permanent site is under construction.
The project’s bankroll is set to surpass the city’s minimum threshold of $300 million, although Boyd Gaming has kept the final budget close to the vest. The Norfolk casino will battle it out with Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened its doors in early 2023 not far from this new venture.
