The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has not given up efforts to build a casino in Kenosha and has now produced a poll it says offers “strong support” for the project.
The poll, which was conducted by the Tarrance Group of Alexandria, Virginia, questioned 600 area residents asking them if they were in favor of the casino.
Reportedly, 60 percent of those surveyed said they supported the proposed Kenosha Hard Rock casino.
This comes three months after the tribe said they were going to try and get the entertainment center and casino project approved again. The tribe has been trying to erect the complex for the last eight years.
In conjunction with Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the two sides have long wanted to build on the former Dairyland Greyhound Park site in Kenosha. Their initial effort was denied by then-Governor Scott Walker in 2015.
The Menominee Tribe has now switched gears. They are looking at a different site for the project, eyeing land located southwest of I-94 and 60th Street. It would include a hotel, Hard Rock Cafe, a live music venue and other amenities.
The site is owned by the village of Bristol, who agreed in July to sell the 59.2 acres to Hard Rock for about $15 million.
Ron Corn Sr., chairman of the Menominee Indian Tribe, cited in a press release that the residents are in favor of building the casino.
“Kenosha area residents have made up their minds, and they support a casino by a wide margin,” Corn Sr. said. “They understand the value of attracting more visitors to Kenosha who will spend more money locally, help create more jobs, and make Kenosha a destination to enjoy big name entertainment. The Menominee project in partnership with Hard Rock will generate more revenue for both the city and county of Kenosha, and the community overwhelmingly supports the project.”
