The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has announced revisions to the site plan for its proposed casino project in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which is currently undergoing federal review.
Menominee Tribe Submits a Modified Proposal for Its Venue
If the changes happen, they will eliminate parking areas previously planned east of the Frontage Road on two parcels of land. The first, identified as parcel A, encompasses 5.8 acres at the northeast corner of the Frontage Road and 60th Street. The second, parcel B, consists of 10.55 acres at the southeast corner of the Frontage Road.
Under the revised plan, parking will instead be consolidated on the west side of the development, adjacent to the proposed casino and hotel complex. According to tribal officials, the revisions were made in response to feedback received during the federal review process and are intended to strengthen the project’s environmental performance and site design.
The revised plan will reduce the amount of farmland converted to paved surfaces, which is expected to decrease stormwater runoff and reduce the amount of stormwater infrastructure required to manage it. Meanwhile, parcel A will remain included in the federal trust application but will no longer be used for parking. Instead, the parcel will be used to enhance stormwater management and water retention.
The tribe also said it determined that placing all of the project property into federal trust is not necessary because some land is not required for the development. As a result, parcel B has been removed from the trust application and will remain subject to local property taxes and regulations.
The Tribe Says the Casino Would Significantly Boost the Local Economy
The proposed Kenosha casino would be located west of I-94, just north of Highway 50. It is being developed in conjunction with Hard Rock Casino Resorts, and the Menominee has already announced it plans to spend $360 million on the project. This investment is projected to include about $104 million in construction payroll and support nearly 1,000 construction jobs over an estimated 18-month period.
Under the deal, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin would own the casino and related facilities, while Hard Rock International would oversee development and management of the approximately 60-acre site. Once fully operational, the planned casino and entertainment center is expected to employ more than 1,000 people. It’s expected that the average annual earnings for full-time equivalent employees will be about $54,000.
Joey Awonohopay, chairman of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, said that from the outset, the Tribe has sought to develop a project that benefits the community, respects the environment, and responds to legitimate feedback received throughout the review process. He emphasized that the proposed refinements reflect the tribe’s commitment to being a good neighbor and delivering the best possible project for Kenosha.
When completed, the venue will feature a Hard Rock Cafe, six additional restaurants, a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, a 150-room Hard Rock Hotel, and a casino offering 1,500 slot machines, more than 50 table games, and a sportsbook.
In other recent news from Wisconsin, Novig is suing the state in an attempt to stop it from enforcing gambling laws against its sports prediction market.