Local Kenosha politicians representing site of proposed casino have differing views on it | Government & Politics

Earlier this thirty day period, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin declared it was partnering with Florida-based mostly Really hard Rock International to relaunch the tribe’s endeavours to open a venue on the west facet of the Metropolis of Kenosha. Due to the fact Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida the organization must partner with a Wisconsin tribe to open a on line casino below beneath point out law.

While preceding ideas referred to as for the Menominee Tricky Rock leisure center and on line casino to be constructed at the site of the previous Dairyland puppy monitor, the new internet site staying proposed is just west of Interstate 94 on about 60 acres of land in the town.

The residence was beforehand owned by the Village of Bristol. The Village Board and the Local community Progress Authority a short while ago voted unanimously to provide virtually 59.91 acres of land for $15,213,221. The spot is positioned in the Metropolis of Kenosha because of a longstanding boundary arrangement amongst the two Kenosha County municipalities. Any approvals for progress on the land ought to appear as a result of the Town of Kenosha due to the fact the land is found in metropolis boundaries.

City Council Ald. Dominic Ruffalo stated he supports the initiatives of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin to build the heart on the west facet of the metropolis. He represents the city’s 16th District.

“At this issue I approve of it, certainly,” Ruffalo explained. “I think it will be scaled-down than the primary casino they had been going to construct in this article, but I really do not have any complications with it coming into my district at all. The people today who never support it are more verbal than the folks who assist it. I consider it’s a excellent site and Tough Rock is a 1st class operation and they are teaming up with the Menominee simply because Menominee is a Wisconsin tribe. The city will be negotiating with the Menominee like they did ahead of.”

Ruffalo stated that about 80% of the people he’s spoken to in his district aid the casino and fears of amplified crime are not justified.

“Very rarely do I regular casinos myself, but if somebody else wants to go which is fantastic with me,” Ruffalo reported. “I want to see Kenosha as extra of a spot and not just a move-by. There’s lots of space there to extend. I was content when I listened to about it. … As it sits correct now, I do not have a difficulty with it in any way. In point, I’m searching ahead to it.”

Ruffalo reported he needs to make confident the town “gets a thing out of it” and that there are however “a large amount of hoops to go via right before a shovel is place in the floor.”

Supervisor John Franco signifies the 13th District on the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors. He disagrees.

“I have mixed inner thoughts with the opportunity of a on line casino growth in Kenosha County’s District 13,” Franco said in a assertion. “Certainly, a on line casino would bring in profits and produce employment having said that, I have many concerns with the venture as a whole. District 13 has viewed enormous progress in equally residential housing and company development around the a long time. A on line casino would improve traffic congestion on main east/west highways bordering household places (these types of as Highway K and Point out Highway 50).”

Franco also said the casino and would strain area general public assets and negatively affect property values in close by residential subdivisions.

“In limited, District 13 is a flourishing small business and residential region that, in my belief, does not require a on line casino. I dread that the numerous unfavorable penalties of a casino will overshadow the achievable rewards. Ultimately, I feel area governments will need to be cautious when chasing right after likely income. The debacle of Foxconn comes to mind.”