NORFOLK, Va. — Wednesday is a big day for the City of Norfolk, as Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe are holding a private groundbreaking for the long-awaited Norfolk casino and resort project.

This comes after years of negotiations and changes for the highly anticipated casino. There have been several versions of the project, both for full builds as well as temporary casino concepts.

Among those in attendance for the groundbreaking are Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray, and Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.

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

Leaders with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming are partners in this development. 13News Now learned Boyd Gaming will have the majority share in the casino. The gaming giant will take over the financial and operational aspects of developing the casino, while the Pamunkey Indian Tribe will hold an equity stake of 20%.

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.