- Details
- By Chez Oxendine
- Gaming
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has adjusted its plans for a proposed Hard Rock casino resort in Kenosha as federal officials continue reviewing the tribe’s application to place the project site into trust.
The $360 million development would rise on approximately 60 acres west of I‑94 and north of Highway 50, far from the Menominee Reservation in northeastern Wisconsin. Because the site is away from the tribe’s reservation, the project requires the Interior secretary to determine that gaming would be in the tribe’s best interest and would not harm the surrounding community. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers must concur with that determination before gaming can occur.
The tribe’s latest site plan shifts all parking to the west side of the casino and hotel, dropping earlier plans to use two agricultural parcels east of the Frontage Road. One of those parcels, a 10.55‑acre tract, has been removed entirely from the trust request and will remain subject to local taxes and regulations. The other, a 5.8‑acre parcel, will remain in the application for stormwater management and water retention.
Tribal officials say the revisions reflect federal feedback and would reduce the amount of farmland converted to paved surfaces, according to Gambling News.
“From the beginning, we have said that we want to develop a project that benefits the community while respecting the environment and addressing legitimate feedback shared during the review process," Joey Awonohopay, chairman of the Menominee Tribe, told the Kenosha News. “These refinements demonstrate our commitment to being a good neighbor and building the best possible project for Kenosha.”
The resort blueprint includes a 70,000‑square‑foot casino with 1,500 slot machines, more than 50 table games and a sportsbook, along with a 150‑room Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock Cafe, six additional restaurants and a 2000-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue.
Construction payroll is estimated at roughly $104 million, supporting close to 1,000 construction jobs over an 18‑month build. Once open, the property is expected to employ more than 1,000 people, according to a 2023 economic impact study.
Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is the development and management partner. The Menominee viewed the project as a major pillar in their long‑term economic‑development strategy, per prior Tribal Business News reporting.
“The project’s benefits will directly benefit the members of our tribe, as we address urgent needs in health care, infrastructure, and education,” Awonohopay said in a March statement. “This brings us all one step closer to a stronger future, and we are grateful for such strong local support for this transformative project.”
Brian Edwards contributed reporting.
