The Kenosha City Council has deferred a vote expected to take place on November 20 regarding the Menominee Tribe’s intended development of a casino hotel in Wisconsin, until January 3 2024.
The motion to defer the vote was brought up by Ald. Holly Kangas, who referenced “a lack of information” as part of her decision. “I just don't think there's been enough time. ... I don't think the public has enough information," she told Kenosha News.
The Menominee Tribe announced its intention to partner with Hard Rock International to develop a Kenosha location last year. The development has been valued at $360m and would be developed across 60 acres of land. According to Hard Rock’s regional president Matt Schuffert, the venue would create more than 1,000 full-time jobs and an annual revenue of $250m-$295m.
The agreement would also offer Kenosha city an estimated 3% ‘net win,’ which would be paid towards government operations each quarter. Despite the economic benefits expected to be generated by the casino, those in Kenosha have expressed mixed opinions on the casino's development.
In Monday’s meeting, one citizen was quoted as saying that, “This in no way or shape or form is going to create any increase in home values… this is not good for Kenosha. This is not good for the residents."
Meanwhile, a survey conducted last fall suggested only 25% of Kenosha citizens actively opposed the casino's development while 15% were unsure, with the remaining 60% of citizens in favor of the casino.
Local building trade organizer Tom Reiherzer said on Monday, "It's a lot of jobs. This would be a lot of jobs with the casino. It will be tax money to this mayor and the future mayor and this council to work with."
