More than one year after it originally was expected to open, HeadWaters Resort & Casino, a partnership between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough, announced it recently submitted a development certification application to the city of Norfolk, Virginia for the “initial phase” of the project.
“We are eager to bring this much anticipated project to life. More details to come soon!” was posted on the casino’s Facebook page.
Headwaters spokesman Jay Smith said the first phase of the 90,000-square-foot development will include a 45,000-square-foot gaming floor, a 4,500-square-foot sports bar and a 5,000-square-foot lobby. The next phase will feature an entertainment venue and a 300-room hotel with a pool. Smith said one unusual feature will be natural light in the gaming floor.
The city’s Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission will review Headwaters’ application, followed by the city council, which could approve it in August, according to a spokesman.
The casino project will be located next to Harbor Park. Currently, the city has agreed to sell 5.28 acres of the 13-acre site, pending the submission of a final site plan. HeadWaters officials said they also hope to receive a temporary gaming license before the permanent location opens.
“We are going to transfer and convey land when we see a facility, we see a site plan, we see a sequencing and we know and feel confident that we can make it actually work,” City Manager Chip Filer told local outlet WAVY.
In their submission package, Headwaters officials wrote “historic naval construction technique became the primary inspiration for the unifying skin structure that wraps around the project. Headwater’s Resort & Casino presents a modern take on the carvel planking method by incorporating a metal panel system that will be constructed edge to edge in order to create a smooth surface form that unifies the podium levels while reflecting back to the historical origins of the site being a shipping port.”
Per WAVY, Smith added, “There are levels of complexity to this project that are quite frankly different than in other cities. Our focus has always been and remains developing a top-quality product and bringing it to market as fast as we can.” He said if the city council approves the plans, the venue could open in early 2025.
