Belle Isle Lease Signed – State to Take Over Operations

City of Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh, Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle and Governor Rick Snyder all put their pen to a lease this week, turning operations of Belle Isle over to the State.

An attempt was made to do the same earlier this year; however, Detroit City Council rejected the plan. Orr overruled the City Council this week.

The State’s new fiscal year budget, that began on Tuesday, included $3.7 million to run the park in anticipation that a lease agreement would be reached. Under the plan, the state will provide maintenance and improvements to the park for 30 years, and up to 60 years unless the City opts-out of one of the 15-year extensions.

Annual revenue to do so will be provided by the State’s Recreational Passport and vehicles entering the park will be required to have the Passport as with other State Parks.

The lease includes a development plan that calls for the state to invest up to $20 million over the next three years on various improvements. In addition, DNR employees, conservation officers and State Police troopers will be assigned to the island, freeing some 22 City of Detroit police officers for other assignments.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 4, 2013 11:47 AM
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