Faith, Foundations, and Family: Exploring the Cultural Link Between Christianity and Construction

By Eric S. Cavallo
HRCNN Editorial Feature

Long before blueprints were drawn and zoning permits approved, the very idea of building was rooted in something deeper: faith. Across the American landscape—and particularly throughout the South—Christianity has shaped more than just moral values and worship practices. It has quietly undergirded one of the most enduring sectors in our economy and culture: the construction trades.

For many builders, general contractors, and tradespeople, construction is more than a job. It’s a legacy handed down through generations, often bound together by a shared belief in God, family, and honest work. In a world that moves increasingly fast and often feels disconnected, the enduring rhythm of building—measured in studs, joists, and poured concrete—offers something sacred: stability.

And it’s no coincidence. Scripture is filled with building metaphors. From the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock to the divine instruction for Solomon’s Temple, Christianity has long used construction as a framework for moral and spiritual instruction. Jesus himself was a carpenter—a man of humble trades and heavenly purpose. His ministry, like a master builder’s plan, required vision, patience, and the laying of strong foundations.

But the deeper truth is this: the cultural bond between faith, foundations, and family is more than symbolic—it is structural. These three elements form the very blueprint of how many builders live, lead, and raise their children. For every nail driven and beam hoisted, there is often a quiet prayer for safety, provision, and purpose.

Across the country, and especially in regions like Hampton Roads and the Antelope Valley, you’ll find families where belief in Christ informs the work of their hands. Morning devotions precede tailgate safety meetings. Sunday rest is honored not just out of tradition, but reverence. The jobsite becomes not just a place of labor, but a place of legacy. Because in our culture, we don’t just build structures—we build lives.

And I can think of no greater example of this sacred intersection than Andrew J. Eliopulos, a man whose leadership in construction, devotion to his faith, and commitment to family have deeply shaped the way I live and work. Years ago, while developing a new 30,000-square-foot facility for US Tool Group in Palmdale, California, Andrew invited a priest to bless the jobsite before the first shovel ever broke ground. It was a profound act—a public profession that the project, the land, and the labor were to be consecrated for good.

That moment said everything. It reminded me that in the world of construction, what we build above the surface must be rooted in something deeper—a foundation of faith, a commitment to family, and a culture that honors both.

These are the values I hold in the highest esteem. They are the framework of my life, my company, and the communities I serve. And they are the reason why, no matter how modern our tools become or how advanced our materials may be, the true strength of a structure—and of a society—will always begin with what is unseen: the faith that grounds it, the foundation that supports it, and the family that builds it together.

Norfolk Bets Big on the Waterfront: $750 Million Casino Project Breaks Ground Next to Harbor Park

By HRCNN Staff Writer
July 26, 2025 – Norfolk, VA

In a long-anticipated step toward revitalizing its urban waterfront, the City of Norfolk has broken ground on a $750 million casino and resort development that will transform a surface parking lot near Harbor Park into a year-round entertainment anchor. Developed through a partnership between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming Corporation, the project is expected to deliver significant economic returns, enhanced transit connectivity, and a new identity for the city’s east downtown corridor.

“This isn’t just a gaming destination,” said City Manager Patrick Roberts. “It’s a regional anchor—connecting transit, tourism, and long-term development strategy.”

The six-acre site, previously known as Harbor Park Lot D, is being reimagined as a full-service resort complex. Plans call for a 200-room hotel, more than 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, eight restaurants and bars, and a 45,000-square-foot amenities deck. A 1,300-space structured parking garage will support both on-site patrons and broader downtown event traffic. The developers anticipate opening a temporary casino facility by the end of 2025, a requirement tied to the voter-approved 2020 casino referendum. The full build-out of the permanent resort is expected to be completed by late 2027, with construction currently managed by S.B. Ballard Construction and Yates Construction—the same team behind Rivers Casino Portsmouth.

On July 25, 2025, a team from the Hampton Roads Construction News Network (HRCNN) visited the active construction site. At present, contractors remain in the early stages of infrastructure development, with work focused on horizontal utilities, underground connections, and initial site grading. Trenches have been opened for electrical, sanitary, storm, and water service lines, and equipment is staged along the site perimeter for ongoing material deliveries and subgrade preparation.

Norfolk’s entry into Virginia’s gaming sector follows closely on the heels of Portsmouth’s 2023 debut of Rivers Casino, which generated more than $15 million in gambling tax revenue in its first year. The proximity of the two properties—just across the Elizabeth River—has prompted questions about regional market saturation. Yet Boyd Gaming executives remain confident in the project’s positioning.

“We see Norfolk not only as viable but as visionary,” said Boyd Senior Vice President Marianne Johnson. “This project balances premium gaming with waterfront recreation and connectivity to rail, ferry, and regional highways.”

Indeed, the site’s adjacency to the Tide light rail system, Norfolk’s ferry terminal, Amtrak station, and the I-264 corridor gives the resort a multimodal advantage unique among East Coast gaming properties. The project is also envisioned as a key economic driver for the broader St. Paul’s redevelopment district.

The casino’s journey to groundbreaking was far from straightforward. Initial concepts unveiled in 2021 proposed a sprawling 13-acre footprint. However, shoreline regulations, FEMA floodplain designations, and coordination with multiple regulatory agencies—including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Norfolk Wetlands Board, and Department of Environmental Quality—led to a significant reduction in the developable area. Ultimately, the buildable site was scaled down to six acres, with adjustments made to align with Norfolk’s $2.6 billion federal floodwall project.

Planning staff and design consultants from VHB and HKS worked extensively to ensure the project met city goals for resiliency and public access. The Elizabeth River Trail will be extended along the waterfront, buffered by lighting, landscaping, and visual corridors to preserve the riverfront experience. Despite a 6–1 vote of support from Norfolk’s Architectural Review Board, some design elements—including building height, wayfinding signage, and indoor smoking areas—remain under scrutiny.

Opposition to the project has not been limited to regulatory boards. Norfolk Councilmember Courtney Doyle cast the sole vote against the revised site plan, citing concerns over public health impacts, design scale, and the project’s symbolic weight on the city’s shoreline.

“There were real questions about what kind of development belongs on our waterfront,” Doyle said during the September 2024 hearing. “This is not just a building. It’s a message.”

Still, city officials point to substantial fiscal and employment gains as justification for the project’s aggressive timetable. According to economic impact projections, the resort could generate upwards of $30 million in annual revenue for Norfolk through a combination of gaming taxes, lease payments, and indirect activity. During construction, the project is expected to support more than 2,800 jobs, with roughly 850 permanent positions once fully operational. Annual wages across all sectors tied to the resort are projected to exceed $58 million.

Jared Chalk, Norfolk’s Director of Economic Development, noted that the casino is not being positioned as a standalone amenity, but as a keystone in a broader strategy to modernize the city’s hospitality and tourism infrastructure. “The fiscal impact is meaningful, yes,” Chalk said, “but just as important is the catalytic effect this project has on surrounding redevelopment and employment mobility.”

Still, for many Norfolk residents, questions remain. Some community leaders have expressed concern about the risk of over-commercialization, traffic spillover into adjacent neighborhoods, and the equity implications of locating a high-end casino near communities still recovering from generational disinvestment. Others are cautiously optimistic, hopeful that new job opportunities and public-private reinvestment will reach those most in need.

“The resort could become a symbol of either vision or division,” said civic activist Andrea Lemieux. “The outcome will depend on who it serves—and who gets left behind.”

For now, cranes continue to rise above the Elizabeth River, reshaping a familiar skyline with steel, concrete, and high expectations. Whether Norfolk’s bet on the waterfront pays off—or busts—remains one of the region’s most closely watched civic stories.

About HRCNN
The Hampton Roads Construction News Network (HRCNN) is an independent editorial platform tracking the intersection of zoning, infrastructure, environmental development, and regional planning across coastal Virginia. We welcome contributions from professionals, civic leaders, and community members who share a passion for responsible growth and resilient design.

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Foundations That Last: Helen Dragas and the Blueprint for Building in Coastal Virginia

By Eric S. Cavallo
Virginia Licensed Contractor (Commercial Building); Board Member, Virginia Beach Board of Zoning Appeals; Advisor to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on Single-Stair Exit Code Reform; International Code Council (ICC) Member; Founder & President, Earthly Infrastructure®

Few names in Hampton Roads residential development carry the weight of Helen Dragas. As President and CEO of The Dragas Companies, her influence has helped shape the region’s suburban landscape for decades. What distinguishes Dragas isn’t just her longevity—it’s her measured, community-centered approach to growth. Her legacy isn’t written in speculation or press releases, but in real neighborhoods, lasting craftsmanship, and homes that anchor families across Coastal Virginia.

Recognizing a Builder’s Legacy

On May 31, 2023, Earthly Infrastructure® proudly presented Helen Dragas with a Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring her enduring contributions to the built environment, her commitment to ethical development, and her legacy of leadership across Coastal Virginia

I first met Helen years ago at the Dragas Companies’ annual Christmas party while working on her Spence Crossing development in Virginia Beach. Even in a festive setting, she carried herself with the commanding presence of a public official—measured, composed, and unmistakably in charge. She didn’t just walk into a room; she owned it. There was an air of confidence and competence about her that signaled leadership at every turn. It was immediately clear she was a builder who expected more—not just from the work, but from the people around her.

Her job sites were orderly, her expectations sharp, and her team deeply aligned with the regulatory process. For someone like me, now leading Earthly Infrastructure® and advocating for greater builder accountability statewide, that early exposure to her leadership shaped my view of what responsible development looks like.

Today, Helen Dragas continues to leave her mark—not only through legacy communities but through new projects rising in Chesapeake. Crestfield at Centerville is a forthcoming neighborhood of single-family homes on generous 10,000-square-foot lots, offering thoughtfully designed floorplans priced from the mid $500,000s. Just a few miles away, Grayson Commons is set to break ground in 2025—a mixed-use development that will include two- and three-bedroom townhomes, garages, and lakefront walking trails. These projects speak to the evolution of growth in Hampton Roads: compact, livable, and grounded in long-term neighborhood value.

What makes these projects especially relevant to today’s land use conversations is their procedural integrity. The approval process for Grayson Commons included careful coordination with Chesapeake City Council, addressing infrastructure conditions like turn-lane improvements and internal road connectivity. It’s this attention to transportation impact, drainage, and design that separates Dragas from many operating in today’s increasingly crowded development space. She builds with the future in mind—socially, physically, and civically.

Outside the private sector, Helen Dragas has been a visible force in Virginia’s civic and educational institutions. She served as a member—and eventually rector—of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, helping steer one of the Commonwealth’s flagship public universities through complex governance challenges. Her board service reflects a belief that leadership in housing must also be matched by stewardship in education, governance, and policy. Few regional developers can claim such a balanced presence across public and private life.

She has also supported initiatives related to housing access, workforce development, and regional economic competitiveness—often without seeking the spotlight. In doing so, she has helped shape not only the built environment, but the broader social infrastructure that makes a city livable. Helen Dragas embodies the idea that true development is as much about people as it is about parcels—and her work continues to influence how Coastal Virginia grows, adapts, and thrives.

In a time when the word “developer” is often used without regard to licensure, liability, or policy fluency, Helen Dragas remains a model of what the title should demand. Her work respects the code. Her teams understand the stakes. And her communities are proof that quality homebuilding and responsible policy alignment are not mutually exclusive. As Virginia continues to confront growth, affordability, and regulatory reform, builders like Helen will be essential to getting it right.