NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The development team behind Norfolk’s proposed casino, says “conflicts in the City’s approach” is causing delays in bringing the $500 million project to fruition.

The team behind the Headwaters Resort & Casino made the statement following the City of Norfolk’s request to reschedule the presentation scheduled for Monday with the city’s Architectural Review Board.

The statement is the first one made publicly, showing what insiders have described as a growing divide between the city and the developers.

The federally-recognized Pamunkey Indian Tribe, in partnership with Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough, has a development agreement with Norfolk to build the Headwaters Resort & Casino on more than 13 acres between Harbor Park and the Norfolk Southern Railroad line on the banks of the Elizabeth River.

First announced in December 2018, in November 2020

According to a press release, HeadWaters’ development team will not present its application for a Development Certificate on Monday. Instead, they will meet with city leaders on Tuesday at the city’s request.

This continuation and meeting request comes after the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, the group behind the casino project, received a letter on July 17 from the city it says “contradicted the prior direction given to the Tribe and its development team in a March 1, 2023 letter from the City.”

The Tribe says it responded to the July 17 letter “with a letter noting the conflicts in the City’s approach and requested a meeting to get clarity from the City on its proposed path to acquire the land and begin construction on the resort as soon as possible.”

“We are solely focused on getting this project off the ground and look forward to making that
happen as soon as possible. We remain committed to working closely with the City and our
neighbors to make this the greatest resort and casino in Virginia,” said Robert Gray, Chief of the
Pamunkey Indian Tribe. “We want to get this project up and running as soon as possible to start generating revenue for the Tribe and our citizens, for the other recognized Virginia tribes that will benefit from this project, and for the City of Norfolk, its citizens and the Commonwealth of
Virginia.”

The casino project has continued to experience delays after Norfolk voters approved the casino gaming in the city via referendum more than two years ago. The long-term plan for the site includes a hotel, pool, and cabanas overlooking Harbor Park, with an overall price tag around $500 million.