Belle Isle aerial view
The state will officially take over operations of Belle Isle thanks to a lease signed Tuesday by Gov. Rick Snyder. The deals frees up about $6 million annually for the city.
However, City Councilwoman Joann Watson wonders if the deal is valid because, Detroit's assets are supposed to be frozen while the city is in bankruptcy.
Detroit News: Watson on Tuesday argued that there should be no lease because Belle Isle is considered a city asset and should be frozen due to the city’s pursuit of bankruptcy.
“Belle Isle is an asset paid for by the city of Detroit,” she said.
One imagines Judge Steven Rhodes, who is presiding over the city's bankruptcy case, ultimately will make that determination.
The state's FY 2014 budget already allocates at least $2.5 million of maintenance of a state park on Belle Isle. Snyder left that line item in the budget, even though Detroit City Council rejected a state lease earlier this year, to demonstrate that his administration was "serious about Belle Isle."
According to a release from Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's office, the state has control of the island park for at least 30 years. It will become Michigan's 102nd State Park.
City Council has ten days to approve or reject the deal. However, if the veto the arrangement, they would have to come up with an alternative proposal "that would save the same amount of money or more as the lease," according the mayor's office.
The state Department of National Resources will manage the park and MDOT will be responsible for maintaining the park's roads, including the MacArthur Bridge.
A seven-person advisory board will be formed to oversee improvements and master planning on the island. The governor will appoint three members, the mayor two, council one, and the seventh member will be jointly selected by the mayor and governor.
“Detroit’s current financial condition prohibits the City from investing in the much-needed restoration of Belle Isle,” said Bing. “As I stated last year when a proposed lease agreement was developed, my administration strongly believes the state park structure is the best option for managing and maintaining the island and restoring it to its grandeur.”
Vehicles will have to purchase an $11/year State Park "passport" to drive onto the island. There will be no entry fee for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit riders.
Any revenue beyond Passport fees collected from the island, including permit and rental fees as well as grants, would be exclusively for Belle Isle maintenance and programs.
