Norfolk unveils ‘massive’ school reconstruction plan funded by casino tax revenue – The Virginian-Pilot

Norfolk City officials made public a major plan on Tuesday to rebuild five city schools over the next decade using local tax revenue from a new casino.

City officials dont know the total cost of the project yet, but said they plan to take out at least $250 million in new debt for it. That money would be paid back at least in part by local tax revenue from the Headwaters Resort and Casino, a gaming facility set to open near Harbor Park in 2024, according to Norfolk City Manager Chip Filer.

This is a generational change in the facilities of the Norfolk public school system, both through new construction, as well as massive modernization and renovation, Filer said at a Tuesday city council meeting.

The five schools the city intends to replace or renovate are Maury High School, Booker T. Washington High School, Norview Elementary School, Jacox Elementary School and Granby Elementary School.

Maury High School would be first in line for replacement, with construction beginning as soon as 2025, Filer said.

The 1910-era Maury High School has dire infrastructure and repair needs. City and school officials have been discussing the need to replace the school since at least 2014.

The estimated price tag is $180 million, Filer said.

The other school that would be replaced is Norview. Booker T. Washington would be fully renovated, while officials havent decided yet whether Jacox and Granby will be replaced or renovated.

Norfolk City Budget Director Greg Patrick said such extensive school reconstruction will not be possible without tax revenue from the new casino.

The casino is coming online, and it is very rare that we have an opportunity to leverage a new revenue source that is as substantial as we expect the revenue from the casino to be, Patrick told The Virginian-Pilot. And if we can get in front of that revenue coming online and use it for a particular purpose, we can really make a difference.

The city estimates that the Headwaters Resort and Casino, approved by Norfolk voters in a 2020 referendum, will generate between $33 million and $44 million in city tax revenue annually. Of that, Patrick said around $10 million per year would be put toward the debt for the school reconstruction project.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful generational impact on the Norfolk Public School system, Patrick said.

Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander announced the school reconstruction plan during his State of the City address on April 7, calling it a major renovation and construction plan to modernize and revolutionize our schools.

Many details of the plan have yet to be released, however. And whether it moves forward is contingent on approval from both Norfolk City Council and the Norfolk School Board.

Even if city council adopts the plan, Patrick said the school board, which controls the school divisions budget, could absolutely choose a different direction.

School Board Chairwoman Adale Martin could not immediately be reached for comment.

The school board dedicated $147 million to begin replacing or renovating Maury High School in the school divisions upcoming budget, which was adopted on March 16. But the remaining four schools identified for reconstruction by the city are not included in their capital improvement plan.

Councilwoman Mamie Johnson, a former Norfolk Public Schools teacher, said during the work session that she was concerned the school board may not endorse the plan.

We have shown that were committed to the children and their families, to the teachers and all of the employees of Norfolk Public Schools, Johnson said.

But, she said, we do not control how the money is spent.

Daniel Berti, daniel.berti@virginiamedia.com

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Norfolk unveils 'massive' school reconstruction plan funded by casino tax revenue - The Virginian-Pilot