Students who were disappointed that casino gambling is no longer an option in Madison after the Feb. 17 casino referendum might be able to look forward to other developments around the DeJope Bingo Hall.
After a $1 million campaign and a stunning 2-1 defeat, the Ho-Chunk Nation insisted they would not pursue a second referendum for the casino in Dane County. Feb. 18, the day after the casino referendum, rumors began circulating that the Ho-Chunk may revive plans around the DeJope Bingo Hall.
Ed Littlejohn, Ho-Chunk Nation head of public relations, said Monday although there are no official plans yet, the Nation’s legislative branch is in the process of evaluating its options.
The Ho-Chunk Nation will most likely work with plans already approved by the Madison Plan Commission in July 2000, Littlejohn said.
Four years ago, the Madison Plan Commission approved proposals from the tribe to develop the 50 acres of land around the DeJope Bingo Hall, owned by the Ho-Chunk Nation. Although plans to expand the casino were not included in the proposal, a restaurant, hotel, conference center, retail strip and amphitheater were included and approved.
Littlejohn said the specifics of the project, such as location, were still being discussed by the legislative branch of the tribe. He stressed, however, that plans may not be developed in the Madison area, after two-thirds of Dane County voters rejected the casino.
“We weren’t anticipating the reaction the Dane County residents had,” he said. “At least not that resounding.”
More than 90,000 Dane County voters said “No” to the proposed casino. With an approximate $60,000 spent on No Dane Casino advertising, the group’s totaled an approximate $.54 spent per vote. In contrast, the Ho-Chunk Nation invested $1.3 million into their campaign and received just over 50,000 votes in agreement. These numbers came to an end total of $29.10 spent per vote.
Littlejohn said if the margin of defeat had been smaller, the Nation would still be strongly considering plans to develop land in Dane County.
“If it was a tight race, it would have been different,” Littlejohn said, adding that they are analyzing different places the tribe could develop land besides the area around the DeJope Bingo Hall.
“It is hard to go to a party when people don’t want you there,” he said.
Littlejohn said the Nation is still analyzing the options. He said they have been in touch with many consultants with whom they could with to develop land.
He said approval of a plan will be up to Gov. Jim Doyle when the time comes, not the voters of Dane County.
“The ball will be in his court,” Littlejohn said.
However, as of Tuesday night, the governor’s press secretary, Dan Leistikow, said the governor had received no proposals and had no knowledge of a new plan from the Ho-Chunk Nation.
“We haven’t seen any proposals,” Leistikow said. “They will have to decide what they are proposing and what they want to make for the use of their lands.”
