A casino development proposed by the Menominee Indian Tribe on a 60-acre site in Kenosha received approval from the Kenosha City Council Jan. 3.
The inter-governmental agreement is one step in the process the tribe has to complete before the entertainment complex could be built. The $360 million complex, if fully developed, would include a hotel, restaurants and entertainment venue. The tribe is working with Hard Rock International on the proposal.
Hard Rock officials have said they expect revenue to range from $250 million to $295 million annually. The agreement with the city calls for the tax exempt property to provide a share of revenue for a 20 year period and to be renegotiated for 10 year periods thereafter. It also calls for investment in emergency services to include vehicles and a facility near the complex.
The tribe intends to apply to the U.S. Department of the Interior to place the land proposed for the casino in federal trust for the purposes of casino gambling. The Kenosha County Board will consider a separate intergovernmental agreement Jan 16.
Final approval for a new casino in Wisconsin rests with Gov. Tony Evers.
