HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A project that would have renewed and transformed the southwest corner of Fort Monroe into a local waterfront resort won’t happen, at least not soon.
In a joint announcement this week, the Fort Monroe Authority and Pack Brothers Hospitality said they would no longer move forward with negotiations for a new hotel, restaurant and marina facilities for the Old Point Comfort Marina.
Instead, Pack Brothers would simply negotiate an agreement to manage the marina as they have been since 2019.
Randy Pack, president of the company, said like so much else, the price of the project became out of reach.
“It was no longer a profitable project, and I love Fort Monroe and I love all that over there, Pack said. “Unfortunately, we’re not independently wealthy, and our intention was to go over there and make a profit doing it. The project had escalated in cost so high, and that was becoming a very difficult challenge to meet.”
Pack said he and his brother Brian, who currently own and manage Smithfield Station in Smithfield and Surry Seafood Company in Surry, first began working on their plan for 37 North in 2019.
They planned to bring a 90-room boutique hotel and a 500-seat restaurant with expansive outdoor seating areas and waterfront views of the Chesapeake Bay.
A newly remodeled marina would have updated and replaced the former Old Point Comfort Marina with 300 slips. 37 North was also to have had an addition of 250-person conference center and wedding venue.
Pack said nothing will change in the short term with the marina. Deadrise Restaurant will remain open.
It’s still the long-term goal however for the marina to be redeveloped.
“The Fort Monroe Authority commends Pack Brothers Hospitality for their commitment and passion for this project,” authority Executive Director Glenn Oder said in a statement. “They have been excellent stewards and managers of the Old Point Comfort Marina, and we look forward to their continued management.”