Residents near proposed casino site speak out

KENOSHA (WITI) -- Although Governor Walker has delayed his decision on the Kenosha casino, residents near the proposed site have strong opinions about the project.

Nearby home owner Kevin Owens is worried about the amount of people who would be filling the old Dairyland Greyhound Park if the casino moves forward.

"I understand their plight and what they're looking for. I'm happy to have the jobs but I think that there's other areas that might actually benefit from it much better," said Owens. "This whole neighborhood around here is very young families."

Will Wilson is torn between the project's potential pluses and crowds that it will draw.

"I see the beautiful layout, I understand that it's going to bring jobs to the neighborhood," said Wilson. "At first you think about the criminal element of a 24-hour place gambling, so you think about the fact that the value of your home might go down."

Alderman Jesse Downing says support for the project has shifted over the last decade. Many of his constituents are looking forward to the casino's trickle down effect that new jobs could bring.

"Some of the people that were against it are for it now because of the economy," said Downing. "All the hotels will be busy in town here all the time instead of just for special events."

Downing says he isn't concerned about a potential increase in crime.

"At first that was a big concern, but we got a first class police department in the city here that we're not going to tolerate that stuff. We don't tolerate it now and we're not going to tolerate it then," promised Downing.

Downing added that they city is looking at adding twenty additional police officers to their department to help handle all the changes in the area.