Things you would do with Belle Isle? (Detroit, Mackinac Island: garden, propane)

[detwahDJ]

Take the burden of maintenance off of the city, although I hate to see it. It won't be improved much in the present economic conditions unless they can make it pay somehow.
As "Detroit's city park" it would be iconic in the world if people knew about it. Are there parks like it anywhere - as an island with those lagoons and canals?
Not privatized! It would become condos and golf courses. I can see developers licking their lips over the prospect.

[MS313]

I think I recall seeing something on the news once a few years ago about plans with Belle Isle but I can't find it anywhere no more, one was talking about making one section full of casinos like a Vegas strip and another one was talking about putting a Farris wheel and roller coasters on the island I can't recall who was actually saying these things but I do slightly remember it hitting the news a few years ago. But anyway, I agree with many of you about having someone else own the park. The city should not be maintaining the park right now, it would be one less thing the city has to worry about. But I would understand the cities worry about keeping Belle Isle a park. Because people might just take it and turn it into Disneyland or a Vegas style or sunset blvd strip or something, if anything Jefferson should be a famous strip. They should auction Belle Isle off and have a thing that says they must keep at least 3/4 of the park an actual park for about 15 to 20 years and then 1/2 of it an actual park for another 15-20 years and have NO residential building in the park PERIOD. They should action off some things in and around downtown to global builders too, Let them bring stuff downtown, ask Donald Trump if he will help out lol.

[Coldjensens]

There was a movement to turn it over to HCMA, but there was a ig stink becuase they would charge a toll. There was also a big stink about turning "our park" over to "those people"

So do you want a cruddy run down park that is fee and you can take credit for until it closes because it is unsafe, or do you want a nice, well maintained park that you have to pay $40 a year to use (and also use the other 13 metroparks).

Like the electrical system however*, I am not sure that HCMA woudl want it. It needs too much work.

*Detroit tried to turn their electric company over to Edison, but Edison did not want it.

[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by MarvinStrong313

I think I recall seeing something on the news once a few years ago about plans with Belle Isle but I can't find it anywhere no more, one was talking about making one section full of casinos like a Vegas strip and another one was talking about putting a Farris wheel and roller coasters on the island I can't recall who was actually saying these things but I do slightly remember it hitting the news a few years ago. But anyway, I agree with many of you about having someone else own the park. The city should not be maintaining the park right now, it would be one less thing the city has to worry about. But I would understand the cities worry about keeping Belle Isle a park. Because people might just take it and turn it into Disneyland or a Vegas style or sunset blvd strip or something, if anything Jefferson should be a famous strip. They should auction Belle Isle off and have a thing that says they must keep at least 3/4 of the park an actual park for about 15 to 20 years and then 1/2 of it an actual park for another 15-20 years and have NO residential building in the park PERIOD. They should action off some things in and around downtown to global builders too, Let them bring stuff downtown, ask Donald Trump if he will help out lol.

Jefferson Avenue to GP reeks with potential. Not industrial like downriver hopefully.

[detwahDJ]

I thought the aquarium, though small, was a gem (size isn't everything). Same with the botanical center. Even the zoo was interesting, though I'm not a fan of captivity in small cages.
The park should be forever protected from over-development imo. No condos, no golf. Amenities could be clustered on Jefferson at the entrance, but keep the island pristine.

[MS313]

Originally Posted by detwahDJ

Jefferson Avenue to GP reeks with potential. Not industrial like downriver hopefully.

When I go down Jefferson I think upscale housing, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife that could blow places like Royal Oak out the water. Sort of like Sunset Blvd. And being so close to the Detroit River and Grosse Pointe it can be home to many expensive condos full of young successful people like N Lake Shore Drive. Then people will REALLY be "MOVIN ON UP" to the eastside. Wayyy too much potential to be wasted.

[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by MarvinStrong313

When I go down Jefferson I think upscale housing, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife that could blow places like Royal Oak out the water. Sort of like Sunset Blvd. And being so close to the Detroit River and Grosse Pointe it can be home to many expensive condos full of young successful people like N Lake Shore Drive. Then people will REALLY be "MOVIN ON UP" to the eastside. Wayyy too much potential to be wasted.

That stretch with its waterfront has the potential for international recognition even. However realization is another matter.
At one time there was a restaurant built on a dock in the Detroit river, just east of the Roostertail (I'm thinking the foot of Parkview). It had bands, an upper deck restaurant, a lower deck bar, outdoor and indoor dining, freighter watching, partying on boats. We tied up a "party boat" there - played guitars and sang. Very cool - but the dock was condemned and too expensive to maintain. I see the possible ghostly remains of it in this image (it bent westward).
Bing Maps - driving directions, routes, and traffic
My point is that similar development would be a great drawing card making the area a fun place to be.

[313Weather]

I would support a fee IF I was 100% sure every cent of the money earned from these fees went directly to the maintenance of the park.

Unfortunately I don't trust the leaders in Detroit to do that, so no.

Privitization won't work either. HCMA already said they don't want Belle Isle (they don't do "urban" parks).

Perhaps we could sell half of it to Canada (Windsor) and construct a bridge from their side of the border so they can access the park as well and they contribute to half of the park's maintenance costs. We could also regionalize it. However, if we do, everyone in the region would have to contribute a mileage to it and pay a small fee ($2.00) to access it. The funds and everything regarding the park would be left up to a 6-person board, 3 Detroit CITIZENS, 1 Oakland County CITIZEN, 1 Macomb County CITIZEN and 1 suburban Wayne County CITIZEN. Accountability has to be key with whatever happens.

[detwahDJ]

I still say it could be a county or metropark...

[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by 313Weather

I would support a fee IF I was 100% sure every cent of the money earned from these fees went directly to the maintenance of the park.
Unfortunately I don't trust the leaders in Detroit to do that, so no.
Privitization won't work either. HCMA already said they don't want Belle Isle (they don't do "urban" parks).
Perhaps we could sell half of it to Canada (Windsor) and construct a bridge from their side of the border so they can access the park as well and they contribute to half of the park's maintenance costs. We could also regionalize it. However, if we do, everyone in the region would have to contribute a mileage to it and pay a small fee ($2.00) to access it. The funds and everything regarding the park would be left up to a 6-person board, 3 Detroit CITIZENS, 1 Oakland County CITIZEN, 1 Macomb County CITIZEN and 1 suburban Wayne County CITIZEN. Accountability has to be key with whatever happens.

A bridge from Canada would have to allow freighter traffic - probably doable.
Even more romantic and less expensive - how about a ferry? It could be a small business, one already in existence.