The Ho-Chunk Nation is moving forward on its proposed $405 million resort casino in Beloit, Wisconsin. Recently the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs held a public hearing on the draft environmental impact statement for the 33 acres the tribe seeks to have taken into federal trust for gaming purposes. Most of the speakers at the event supported the project.
More recently, a group of citizens met at a local restaurant to air their concerns about the proposed casino resort at Interstate 90/39 near Willowbrook and Colley roads. Beloit contractor Bill Dorr organized and moderated the meeting. “We wanted an open meeting without a podium and prearranged statements,” Dorr said. Former City Manager Larry Arft, who retired in 2015 after 12 years, responded to questions.
One question was why another advisory referendum could not be held to consider public opinion. Dorr said Beloit has changed significantly since an advisory referendum on a possible casino was held in 2000, with 60 percent approval. Therefore, he said, the city council should “just think about” holding another referendum.
Attendees also questioned the four options the BIA is considering for the development: a casino-resort, a “reduced” casino and commercial development, a singular retail development without the casino and no development at all. Arft said he doubts the tribe “would build it without the casino.” He said the casino-resort is the primary focus and was detailed in an intergovernmental agreement between the tribe, Beloit and Rock County approved in 2012. Arft said any development that differs from that agreement would require new negotiations and could lead to costly litigation.
Arft added an advisory referendum in Beloit also could lead to litigation because the agreement indicates the city supports the proposed casino. “This project has been done in the open. There’s been extensive press coverage going back every step along the way. I know there’s a few of you here that are nervous about it or don’t like it. That happens. This project has been overwhelmingly supported by the Beloit community for 20 years,” he stated.
