After the Kenosha City Council meeting, the construction of the Menominee Indian Tribe’s Kenosha casino in Wisconsin has been given the green light. The council approved the agreement with the tribe, allowing for the construction of a casino and hotel complex with an estimated cost of $350 million.
However, not all council members were in favor of the casino construction. Dave Mau, an Alderman, voted against the proposal due to concerns about the city sanctioning the business venture. Similarly, Alderman Kelly Mackay expressed his dislike for gambling in general, leading to his vote against the casino. Alderwoman Holly Kangas, although supportive of the casino, was dissatisfied with the speed of the process and expressed concerns about transparency and open government.
Mayor John Antaramian’s proposed revenue share and its impact on the city were also subject to questioning by Alderman Dan Prozanski. The collaboration with the Menominee tribe is expected to bring in an estimated annual revenue of $12 to $15 million for the city and county. Gena Kakkak, the Chair of the Tribe, emphasized the importance of the project being beneficial for both the tribe and the city.
The tribe, known as one of the poorest in the state, plans to use the revenue to expand healthcare services, launch education initiatives, and modernize sawmills. The final approval from the Council is set for November 20, and the county board will discuss the deal soon after. The approval from Governor Evers is pending, raising concerns due to the lack of approval from former Governor Scott Walker in 2015.
If approved, the casino will be run by Hard Rock International, with the tribe retaining ownership. The casino will cover about 60 acres and will include a hotel, various restaurants, as well as theatre and music components. According to reports by Kenosha News, a majority of the 600 residents surveyed expressed support for the new casino.
Overall, the preliminary approval from the Kenosha City Council marks a significant step forward for the construction of the Menominee Indian Tribe’s casino in Wisconsin. Despite opposition and pending approvals, the project is anticipated to bring economic benefits to the tribe and the city.