Number
040779
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
040732
Sponsor
ALD. DAVIS
Title
Substitute resolution appropriating Community Development Block Grant funds for a study of the potential economic impacts of development of a major entertainment facility at the Dairyland Greyhound Park site in Kenosha.
Analysis
This resolution appropriates $10,000 from the Community Development Block Grant Contingency Account to pay a portion of the costs of a study of the economic impacts on the Milwaukee area of an $808 million entertainment facility proposed for development at the site of the Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha. The study will be conducted by economist Michael K. Evans, Ph.D.
This appropriation is contingent upon the balance of the funds needed to pay for the study being committed by one or more of the following organizations: the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee chapter of the NAACP and the Milwaukee Urban League.
Body
Whereas, In June, 2004, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin submitted plans to Kenosha city and county governments for an $808 million entertainment facility to be developed at the site of Dairyland Greyhound Park on the western edge of Kenosha; and
Whereas, Construction and operation of the new facility also requires the approval of the State of Wisconsin and the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
Whereas, The proposed development would include a gaming facility, a 5,000-seat theater, restaurants, bars and a 400-room hotel; and
Whereas, Once all approvals are received, the developers plan to begin construction of the Kenosha facility in spring 2006, with completion of the project expected by summer 2009; and
Whereas, On November 2, 2004, Kenosha County residents will have an opportunity to vote on a non-binding referendum question on whether to support construction of the proposed facility; and
Whereas, The Common Council finds that the proposed Kenosha entertainment facility, which would be located only 30 miles from Milwaukee, could negatively impact employment, tourism, government revenues and charitable support in the Milwaukee area, and could be particularly devastating to businesses and residents of the city's Community Development Block Grant area; and
Whereas, The Common Council finds that a study of the economic impacts of the proposed facility is urgently needed to help Milwaukee leaders understand the consequences of development of this facility for the city and its residents, particularly with respect to the low- to moderate-income residents of the Block Grant area and that area's economic base; and
Whereas, Preparation of an economic impact study of the proposed facility on the Milwaukee area is supported by the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee chapter of the NAACP and the Milwaukee Urban League; and
Whereas, Nationally renowned economist Michael K. Evans, Ph.D., who has more than 30 years of economic forecasting experience, is available to conduct an economic impact study of the proposed Kenosha facility; and
Whereas, On September 21, 2004, the Common Council adopted File Number 040732, a resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's support for commissioning, in collaboration with any or all of the organizations listed above, a study of the economic impacts of the proposed Kenosha entertainment facility on the Milwaukee area by Michael K. Evans, Ph.D.; and
Whereas, File Number 040732 also expressed the Common Council's intent to appropriate, at a future date, $10,000 from the Community Development Block Grant Contingency Account in support of this study, contingent upon the other organizations that support this initiative committing the balance of the funds needed to pay for the study; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that $10,000 is appropriated from the Community Development Block Grant Contingency Account for a study of the economic impacts of the proposed Kenosha entertainment facility on the Milwaukee area by Michael K. Evans, Ph.D., or his firm, Evans, Carroll & Associates, contingent upon the other organizations that support this initiative committing the balance of the funds needed to pay for the study; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Community Development Block Grant Division of the Department of Administration is authorized to expend the $10,000 so appropriated for payment to Michael K. Evans, Ph.D., or his firm, Evans, Carroll & Associates for a study of the economic impacts of the proposed Kenosha entertainment facility on the Milwaukee area.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB04387-2
JDO
9/28/04