The Kenosha Common Council has OK'd an inter-governmental agreement with the Menominee Nation that helps with the Wisconsin tribe's goal of building a casino and entertainment complex along I-94 in Kenosha County.
Council members voted 11-6 in favor of the project on Jan. 3. Ald. Daniel Prozanski Jr. says the millions of dollars per year the Menominee would eventually pay the city of Kenosha would help fund things residents want.
"We do want better police presence and we do want a safety building and we do want access to better advanced medical—EMS. And this is a way, a way, not the way, a way, to help offset some of those costs," Prozanski said
Ald. Dominic Ruffalo voted against the Menominee proposal. He said because of changing technology, he doubts tribal casinos will be very popular in coming years.
"Gaming can be done anywhere. On your phone. In your living room. That seems to be the future of gaming, in my mind," Ruffalo said.
With Kenosha Common Council approval now accomplished, the inter-governmental agreement moves to the Kenosha County Board. Joey Awonohopay chairs the Menominee-Kenosha Gaming Authority. He said there's work to do — especially to convince county supervisors that the casino and entertainment complex would not cause big local traffic problems.
"The traffic will just be coming off of 94. They're not going to be driving through Somers and all the different suburbs. They'll just be heading to the casino, then back on the interstate once again," Awonohopay said.
If the Kenosha County Board OKs the Menominee's plan later this month, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, and the Interior Department would still have to approve.
Awonohopay said he likes the tribe's chances with both.
