NORFOLK, Va. — The Mermaid City’s long-awaited, long-anticipated, and long-delayed waterfront casino could soon be one step closer to becoming a reality.

Casino operator Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe announced the casino’s official groundbreaking will be on Wednesday, October 30. Among those expected in attendance are Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray, and Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.

Norfolk City Council approved a development certificate for the casino project earlier this month, their last required vote needed before construction could begin.

The project, which was previously given the stamp of approval by both City Council and the city’s planning commission in late September, marks at least the third iteration for the casino since voters approved a casino gaming referendum in 2020. Since then, there have been several versions of the project both for full builds as well as temporary casino concepts. 

Amidst Boyd Gaming’s addition to the project, an American gaming and hospitality company based in Nevada, the long-stalled project slated next to Harbor Park has been able to move forward with relative momentum in recent weeks. 

A spokesperson on behalf of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe previously confirmed to 13News Now that there are initial plans for a temporary casino to be built near the site until the full casino is entirely built, which is allowed by the Virginia General Assembly.