Menominee Tribe members speak in favor of Kenosha casino
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Menominee Tribe went on camera for the first time, as they press forward to build a Hard Rock Casino Complex in Kenosha.
Last month, the Kenosha Common Council and the Kenosha County Board both tabled their votes on the intergovernmental agreement the casino needs. It's coming back around after the first of the year, and ahead of that, CBS 58 gets more details from the tribe.
Renderings released to CBS 58 by the Menominee Tribe showcase a sprawling entertainment complex on 60 acres of prime real estate.
"So, your gaming floor would be right in the center of the complex. Off to one wing would be the hotel rooms, the 150 hotel rooms, with the pool area and the spa that's going to be added," said Joey Awonohopay, Chairman, Menominee Kenosha Gaming Authority.
That's the proposed view off I-94 and 60th street in Kenosha.
"On the other side of the building will be the huge two thousand plus seat Hard Rock live venue and built right into the casino itself, would be the Hard Rock Café," said Awonohopay.
Eight years ago, Governor Walker vetoed the Menominee's original proposal to put a casino at the former Dairyland Greyhound Park.
"Since 2015 to present day, we've estimated the city and the county of Kenosha have lost out on over $120 mil in revenue to the state," said Awonohopay.
The tribe's pressing hard to make it work, motivated for profits that could help the reservation's elderly with housing, health and food.
"We're the second biggest tribe in the state and we have such pressing needs. This needed to come forward," said Gary Besaw, Vice Chairman, Menominee Kenosha Gaming Authority.
The Menominee does not have that proximity to some of the bigger cities and to some of the bigger avenues, highways and interstates to be able to bring that revenue forward.
The Menominee Kenosha Gaming Authority estimates the Kenosha casino could draw 2.4 million visits per year, would need a thousand construction workers to build it, and a thousand full time workers to run it.
"Well, the job factor sounds great to everyone in the area. But in consideration, you have to think that we have jobs here in local factories and local small businesses that still haven't been filled since after COVID. So yes, they'll bring in the jobs, but where are the people gonna come from?" said Quentin Van Jackson, Bristol resident.
Quentin Van Jackson's a Bristol resident, among those who oppose having it here.
"It sounds like Foxconn with slot machines, that's the feeling, we're getting a whole buildup of 'hey we're gonna get this,' 'we're gonna get that,' 'this is gonna come to town,' 'everything's gonna be lovely,' just like Foxconn did," said Van Jackson.
And then what happens is, they bring the slot machines with them, and everything falls under and get let down.
The proposal still has a long way to go. The Kenosha Common Council meets Jan. 3rd and the Kenosha County Board on Jan. 16th. If it advances past both, the next step is the feds, and then Governor Evers gets to weigh in and he would have up to a year to make a decision.