Norfolk Bets Big on Entertainment

The city of Norfolk, Virginia is at a pivotal moment. With the upcoming arrival of a major casino resort, the city is exploring how that investment could spark broader transformation. City leaders are investigating the creation of an entertainment district around the casino site—linking gaming, hospitality, nightlife and waterfront activity. The question: can this become a true destination for visitors and a vibrant asset for residents?

Background: The Casino & Site

At the heart of this effort is the casino project led by Boyd Gaming in partnership with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The project is located on the banks of the Elizabeth River adjacent to the baseball stadium Harbor Park. Norfolk+2TrueLook Construction Cameras+2
According to city sources, the site for the casino includes large surface-parking lots owned by the city—used today during games and events—and sits in a location with direct waterfront access. CDC Gaming+1
The vision is that the casino—when fully operational—and the district around it will attract tourism dollars, create jobs, and bolster the area’s economy beyond its current uses. Casino.org+1

What the Entertainment District Could Look Like

Rather than being just a standalone casino, the goal is to build out a mixed-use entertainment zone: think dining, bars, live music or performance venues, retail, outdoor spaces and a pedestrian-friendly environment linking the waterfront, stadium and gaming resort.
In city remarks, a key question posed by city economic development director Sean Washington: “You have a premier baseball team, you have a premier, world-class casino facility. What else can we do with the rest of the site?” CDC Gaming
This implies a broader vision of combining attractions and amenities—to encourage people to stay longer, explore more, and engage the area at different times of the day and evening.
Design considerations will include how to link the district to downtown proper, how to make the waterfront accessible and active, how to handle parking/transportation, and how to create safe and inviting nighttime environments.

Why Now: Drivers & Motivations

There are several forces aligning:

• Economic development: The casino promises substantial investment, new jobs, new tax revenue, and diversification beyond traditional sectors. Norfolk+1

• Downtown revitalization: Norfolk’s downtown nightlife has been fairly quiet in recent years, especially after a crackdown on nightclubs and other entertainment venues in response to elevated crime. City leaders are looking to the casino as a catalyst for broader change. Casino.org

• Strategic land opportunity: The city already owns significant land around the stadium and waterfront, much of which is currently surface parking lots. Turning that into more dynamic mixed-use will change the footprint of that zone. CDC Gaming+1

• Competitive positioning: With nearby jurisdictions also investing in entertainment and resort development, Norfolk sees an opportunity to become a stronger visitor draw in the Mid‐Atlantic region. Norfolk

Stakeholders & Voices

Key players include:

• City government (economic development, planning, public works)—they are guiding the early planning and framing of the district.

• Casino developer Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe—they bring the capital, design and operational experience to the resort/tourism side.

• Local business owners and residents—many will be affected (positively and potentially with concerns) by the changes in traffic, land use, rents, and neighborhood character.

• Visitors and tourists—what will draw them, what experiences will they seek, and how the district meets those expectations.

• Critics and cautionary voices—there are already some voices in forums who emphasize the challenges of connectivity and the scale of the undertaking. For example one Reddit comment:

  “I’ve said for at least 15 years that there should be a riverwalk …” reddit.com

Benefits & Opportunities

If successful, the entertainment district could deliver:

• Job creation: Construction jobs, permanent jobs in hospitality, dining, entertainment and retail. Casino.org+1

• Increased tax revenue and private investment: The casino alone is projected to generate millions annually for the city’s coffers. Norfolk+1

• Activation of under-used land: The large surface parking lots and under-developed waterfront parcels represent opportunity for more dynamic uses.

• Improved quality of life: Both for residents and workers—more amenities, more nightlife, more options for dining and culture.

• Tourism and destination appeal: A well-executed entertainment district could help Norfolk draw more visitors, hotel stays, longer stays, and increased spending.

• Synergy with the stadium and waterfront: With the baseball stadium nearby, the waterfront location, and the new resort, there are multiple anchors that can work together to make the zone more than the sum of its parts.

Risks & Challenges

There are important caveats and potential obstacles:

• Connectivity: The gaming site is somewhat isolated from the downtown core, separated by highways or buffer zones, which may limit how integrated the district feels. Casino.org

• Perception and safety: While crime has declined, the history of nightlife issues means perception matters for drawing visitors and locals to evening activities.

• Infrastructure burdens: Transportation, parking, pedestrian access, lighting, transit—all need to be managed. If not, the experience will suffer.

• Timing & execution risk: Large developments take time; if parts of the district lag, or land remains under-used, momentum may fade.

• Impact on neighborhoods: Changing land uses and increased foot traffic may raise concerns about noise, gentrification, displacement, and changing character.

• Demand risk: Even with a casino and major investment, the local market for entertainment and nightlife needs to be sufficient; otherwise venues may struggle.

Timeline & Next Steps

Here is what we know so far about where things stand:

• The city of Norfolk has begun early planning discussions around the entertainment district. CDC Gaming+1

• The casino is on track: A temporary facility is expected to open in November 2025, while the full resort is targeted for about 2027. World Casino News+1

• Key milestones ahead include zoning and land-use planning for the district, securing developers/tenants for the additional uses (dining, retail, entertainment venues), infrastructure upgrades, and community engagement.

• Residents and local businesses will likely have opportunities to weigh in via planning meetings and public forums.

• Watch for major announcements: design approvals, major tenant commitments, infrastructure funding, public-private partnership deals.

What It Means for Norfolk Residents & Businesses

For residents:
You may see more options for dining, nightlife, cultural events and waterfront activity. Job opportunities could increase, especially in hospitality and entertainment sectors. On the flip side, there may be increased traffic, changes to neighborhood character, and possible shifts in cost of living in nearby areas.

For local businesses:
Existing restaurants, bars and entertainment venues could benefit from increased foot traffic and visitors. However, increased competition from larger scale venues is likely. Rising property values and rents may follow the district’s development.

For the city:
This is a chance to redefine part of Norfolk’s waterfront and downtown corridor, expand the tax base, attract new visitors, and create a more vibrant evening economy. If the project falls short though, it may expose risk of under-utilised land or missed economic potential.

For visitors and tourists:
The promise is a more complete experience—stay longer, enjoy more than just a game or casino visit, explore dining and nightlife, and take in waterfront ambiance. The success of the district will hinge on creating that “reason to stay” rather than just visiting for one anchor.

Conclusion

Norfolk’s initiative to build an entertainment district around its new casino and waterfront offers a compelling vision: turning a concentrated investment into broader urban revitalization. The potential benefits are significant—but success will depend less on the casino alone and more on how well the surrounding district is planned, connected, and executed. Residents, businesses and visitors each stand to gain—but only if the pieces align.

If you’re in the Norfolk area (or planning to visit), now is a good time to pay attention: speak up in public forums, observe how land use and infrastructure planning evolve, and imagine how the waterfront and downtown might change in the next few years.