La Crosse Tribune: Ho-Chunk Nation reveals plans for casino's design

Anti-gambling groups want voters to believe a casino could land anywhere in U Crosse County if the casino referendum passes Tuesday.

To combat negative ads from those groups, the Ho-Chunk Nation got more specific Thursday about potential casino locations. But tribal representatives still did not name a final site.

They did unveil an artist's sketch of a New Orleans-inspired building design as an example of what a La Crosse casino could look like,

At a news conference, Ho-Chunk representatives also announced that the nation spent $18 million with La Crosse County businesses last year, and said if the referendum does not pass Tuesday, they will begin expansion of the Majestic Pines Casino in Black River Falls.

The nation is fighting to convince county voters they should support a casino in the advisory referendum. County voters turned down another tribe's proposal in 1995 by a 2-to-1 margin, and a recent La Crosse Tribune/WKBT Channel 8 opinion poll showed 53.2 percent opposed the casino, with 34.8 in favor and 12 percent undecided.

If the referendum passes, the nation would have to negotiate an agreement with city and county officials, as well as get approval from federal officials and Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Tribal attorney Michbelle Greendeer narrowed the field of locations to two areas on the outskirts of downtown La Crosse: a 13-acre riverfront site south of the Cass Street Bridge and a site on the Causeway that is most likely the Mobil Oil property. She said the nation has not made offers to purchase either site or taken options on the properties.

Greendeer said, contrary to the "flying casino" ads by the No Casino Group, the nation "will not scare away or pounce on" residents by dropping a casino in their neighborhood.

While not specifically naming the first site, Greendeer said it is located in the "Riverboat Entertainment District" outlined in the City Vision 2000 Master Plan update.

According to city officials, the only site that meets the tribe's needs is owned by First Supply of La Crosse, formerly known as La Crosse Plumbing Supply. Jim Poehling, whose family trust owns the company, confirmed Thursday that the family had been approached by former La Crosse mayor Patrick Zielke, a consultant to the tribe. Poehling declined further comment on whether the family would be interested in selling.

First Supply recently acquired some of the riverfront property, which it had leased for many years, from City Brewery, said City Planning

Director Larry Kirch. The company needs riverfront access to receive barge loads of water main pipe.

Kirch said the nation's prospective Causeway location would have to be the Mobil Oil site, which the city already has plans to acquire and redevelop for mixed use, including for festival open space, business and industrial park lots.

"I don't think our plan incorporates a casino," Kirch said of the Mobile site. He said the east side of the Causeway, also known as Copeland Avenue, doesn't have enough space for a casino and doesn't have riverfront access.

Mayor John Medinger said he and County Board Chairman Jim Ehrsam met with tribal representatives Wednesday, and were told that $2 million a year in payments to each government in lieu of taxes would be "a starting point" in negotiations if the referendum passes.

Tribal attorney William Boulware said the nation wants to be within three to five blocks of the La Crosse Center. He said there are blighted buildings in the area, and that a casino in the area would spur further economic redevelopment.

Greendeer said the nation seriously considered only two proposals. She dismissed a rumor now circulating that the nation will buy the Maple Grove Country Club in West Salem.

Boulware also released figures showing the nation spent more than $18 million with La Crosse County companies and institutions in fiscal 1999. Among the big suppliers are Reinhart Foods, $6.01 million; Pepsi Cola, $1.66 million; Corporate Express, $1.17 million and Western Wisconsin Technical college, $1.01 million.

The Ho-Chunk Nation is heavily invested in this community," Boulware said. "I don't think any outsider has that kind of impact."

Medinger called the Ho-Chunk spending impressive, but said he still isn't taking a position on the referendum.