Construction of Norfolk’s long-planned casino project next to Harbor Park downtown is finally expected to begin in mid-February, developers announced on Monday.
To prepare for construction, the adjacent Amtrak station parking lot was closed permanently Monday. From now on, Amtrak customers will need to park in a lot across the street from the station.
Officials held a ceremonial ground breaking for the project in late October. At that time, officials confirmed there would be parking disruptions for both Amtrak train customers and for Norfolk Tides games.
Developers Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe plan to begin construction in mid-February, pending final approvals from the city of Norfolk, according to Monday’s announcement.
Here’s how Norfolk casino construction will change Amtrak, Tides baseball parking
Harbor Park Lot D next to the Amtrak station will be permanently closed beginning Jan. 27, according to the city. Passengers will need to park in Lot E, which is located across Park Avenue.
Overflow parking will also be available in Lot C, which will also serve as a cellphone lot where cars can wait to pick up passengers, the city said. Lot C is located about a half mile from the station, according to Google Maps.
The city said shuttle service from Lot C and E to the station will be available one hour prior to each train departure. Shuttles will also be available for arriving passengers. The city is urging passengers to arrive early to accommodate the construction.
In the announcement, Boyd Gaming President and CEO Keith Smith said the casino plans would start to become a reality in a few short weeks. Some pre-construction work, including the installation of fencing, will begin Feb. 3.
“When complete in just three short years, this $750 million resort will be an entertainment destination that this entire community can take pride in — drawing visitors from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and generating billions of dollars in economic activity for the city of Norfolk and the greater Hampton Roads area,” Smith said.
Current casino plans call for a 65,000-square-foot casino floor with 1,500 slots and 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, eight restaurants and a parking deck with 1,300 spaces, according to the project website and city documents.
Norfolk’s casino has undergone several delays and plan changes since being announced by the Pamunkey Tribe in in 2018. After adding veteran Nevada casino company Boyd Gaming in Sept. 2024, the project has picked up steam, gaining several necessary construction approvals from the city.
To meet a statutory deadline, developers plan to open a temporary gaming space in a tent-like structure later this year, with the permanent casino opening in late 2027.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
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