In a recent Architectural Review Board (ARB) meeting on Monday, August 19th, the development team behind Virginia’s long-awaited casino project hinted that the name “Headwaters Resort & Casino” might no longer be associated with the planned entertainment complex. This revelation surfaced during an hour-long discussion where architects employed by the Pamunkey Indian Nation—the city’s key partner in this endeavor—unveiled their latest architectural renderings to the board.
Name change for the casino?
This third round of renderings presented to the ARB lacked any reference to “Headwaters Resort & Casino,” a notable departure from previous submissions. The ARB, responsible for ensuring the construction aligns with the city’s architectural standards, received these updated plans with a degree of surprise, especially given that, for the first time since 2021, the name or logo was absent from the public statements issued by the Tribe’s spokesperson, Jay Smith.
When directly questioned by ARB member Greg Rutledge about the potential dropping of the “Headwaters” name, a representative of the development team confirmed that the name change was under consideration, stating that “it may be” altered as discussions continued.
The potential name change was not the only notable update presented at the meeting. Daron Andrus, an architect from HKS architectural firm, disclosed that the hotel component of the property has been scaled down from 300 rooms to 200. This reduction was attributed to financial constraints and insights from a recent market study.
Additionally, the hotel’s orientation and design on the 6.5-acre site were also modified. However, not all these changes were well-received. Greg Rutledge expressed concerns over the new architectural plans, criticizing the design of the amenity deck. “The biggest problem I have with the design is that the architecture of the amenity deck doesn’t fit the architecture of the rest of the building,” he commented, describing the new design as “bulky” and “bland.”
Issues were also raised regarding the parking garage, particularly the decision to restrict access for Harbor Park fans, which might affect the overall accessibility and integration of the facility with the surrounding area.
Ongoing delays and challenges:
The project has faced several delays and requires a vote from the ARB before moving forward. This vote could potentially take place as early as the first week of September. The proposal to establish a resort casino between Harbor Park and the Norfolk Amtrak station was first introduced in December 2018. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, in collaboration with Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough, initially committed to a $500 million investment. The expansive project was slated to include a 65,000-square-foot gaming floor, multiple restaurants, and a hotel featuring an amenity deck with a pool, spa, fitness center, ballroom, meeting spaces, and a parking garage.
However, despite the initial excitement and the approval of casino gaming by Norfolk voters in a November 2020 referendum, progress has been slow. State law mandates that the project must begin operations within five years of the referendum, but persistent delays have sparked frustration among stakeholders.
City officials have pointed to several challenges as reasons for these delays. In December 2022, former Norfolk City Manager Chip Filer highlighted that the construction of a seawall downtown was a significant obstacle. Moreover, Norfolk has maintained that the property transfer to the Pamunkey Tribe would not occur until a detailed site plan for the permanent facility was submitted and financial assurances were provided.
Complications also arose regarding a temporary gaming facility planned for Harbor Park, which was ultimately scrapped after legal concerns were raised.
Vision for the future:
Despite the setbacks and ongoing adjustments, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe remains optimistic about the project. In a statement released after the meeting, the Tribe expressed enthusiasm about advancing the design and construction approval process.
“The Tribe is excited to have taken the next step in the design and construction approval process as we continue to pursue our vision of bringing a best-in-class resort and casino to Norfolk. Incorporating nautical design elements in our plans will make this project uniquely Norfolk and will make the casino resort an iconic feature on the City’s waterfront. This will be a resort experience of which the Tribe and the citizens of Norfolk can be proud.” the statement read, according to TV news website WAVY.com.
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