Detroit's Belle Isle Boat House is in limbo

The state, which took over management of the park from the city in the lead up to Detroit's municipal bankruptcy in 2013-14, has estimated in recent years that the 1902 building would cost at least $43 million to fully restore, although an estimate provided by a state official Wednesday clocked in at $54 million. Tom Bissett, urban district supervisor for the DNR based on Belle Isle, said no decision has been made on whether the building should be razed. Other options include the less-expensive mothballing and stabilizing, as well as the full-scale restoration.https://s3-rd-prod.crainsdetroit.com...use-main_i.jpg

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A project of that scale, however, is "obviously not in our budgetary capability," Bissett said, noting that there is about $23 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding, although $10 million of that is specifically earmarked for the HVAC system at the Belle Isle Aquarium. Approximately $2 million of that ARPA funding is for the boat house.

"That's something that it's well beyond the money that we received," Bissett said. He also said there is some $200 million in infrastructure and other needs at the 982-acre island park, which saw more than 5 million visitors in 2022.
He said that before a decision is made, the DNR would seek public engagement in a series of community meetings. The city deferred comment to the DNR.

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https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...use-fate-limbo

This would be an absolute disgrace if this building were to be demolished.

The redevelopment of this building was certainly envisioned when the state took over management of the island. Now the state demolished the Newsboy Shelter and now wants to demolish this building. Disappointing.

I would beg Roger Penske to put up a substantial portion of the funding if a viable redevelopment plan was to hatched. He had the Grand Prix on the island for many years and he was just announced as one of the richest people in Michigan, a billionaire.

The Building is also on the National Register of Historic Places, so it is eligible the State's Historic Tax Credit of up to $2 million.

What I never understood, is why the Detroit River [specifically the channel between the Island and mainland Detroit, not the shipping channel] never became a hotspot for pleasure sail boats like the Charles River in Boston, see below:

https://www.123rf.com/photo_20515515...achusetts.html

Attachment 42831

I would like to see how they came up with a renovation cost of $54 million.

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Originally Posted by masterblaster

What I never understood, is why the Detroit River [specifically the channel between the Island and mainland Detroit, not the shipping channel] never became a hotspot for pleasure sail boats like the Charles River in Boston.

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The answer to that is called "Scott Middle Ground"...

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3459...!1e3?entry=ttu

This submerged "island" is about 3 ft. under the waters surface, at its' most shallow. So from Belle Isle, the water depth goes from Belle Isle Beach down to nearly 30 ft., back up to only 3 ft. [at Scott Middle Ground], back down to nearly 30 ft., before the mainland shore.

So this part of the river north of the island is a hazardous area for boating, especially for deep keels or large rudders. :eek:

The boathouse could be a big money maker for the island if restored. You know how much the Yacht club charges to have your wedding reception there? Plus you have the opportunity to restore the marina and rent boat slips.

It would be an investment, but one that could almost certainly pay off if done correctly.

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Originally Posted by K-slice

The boathouse could be a big money maker for the island if restored. You know how much the Yacht club charges to have your wedding reception there? Plus you have the opportunity to restore the marina and rent boat slips.

It would be an investment, but one that could almost certainly pay off if done correctly.

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I don’t disagree but it is definitely not the State of Michigan or Detroits place to make a business investment like what you are describing to have a viable future for the Boat Club. A large capital investment is required for the restoration and bids would need to be solicited to the private market. Something along the lines of a long term lease in exchange for a proper rehab. There are not many other viable options but if anyone else has one it could make for interesting debate.

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Originally Posted by masterblaster

What I never understood, is why the Detroit River [specifically the channel between the Island and mainland Detroit, not the shipping channel] never became a hotspot for pleasure sail boats like the Charles River in Boston

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Having sailed in both places I can tell you that the sheltered, slow flowing, and reasonably deep Charles basin is a whole lot easier sail than the fast-flowing, often very choppy, unpredictably windy, and very shallow in the middle, north channel of the Detroit River.

This is yet another in the long and lengthening line of disappointments I've had with the state's stewardship [[or lack thereof) of Belle Isle.

The Detroit Boat Club building was circling the drain long before the state took over management of the island.

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Originally Posted by EastsideAl

This is yet another in the long and lengthening line of disappointments I've had with the state's stewardship [[or lack thereof) of Belle Isle.

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I saw a presentation of what the state has been doing for the last ten or so years. They've spent tens of millions of dollars fixing infrastructure. Water mains, streets, bridges, and shoreline. A good chunk of the southern shore was eroding into the river. Serious work on buildings and structures only started a few years ago.

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Originally Posted by GPCharles

The Detroit Boat Club building was circling the drain long before the state took over management of the island.

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The state merely removed the drain screen so it would swirl faster.

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Originally Posted by EastsideAl

This is yet another in the long and lengthening line of disappointments I've had with the state's stewardship [[or lack thereof) of Belle Isle.

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Yet for the first 5-8 years after the state took it over, improvement projects at hundreds of state parks were practically non-existent. The reason? Because the little money that they did have was largely diverted toward Belle Isle. Most state park campgrounds have bathroom buildings that are 20-40 years past their useful life, electrical systems that trip constantly because they're not designed for the needs of modern campgrounds, plus water and sanitation systems that are barely hanging on by a thread. $250 million in Covid money [[5% of which is going toward Belle Isle) is finally starting to provide noticeable differences. So, I'm not exactly sure your point has any basis if you take the time to look at the bigger picture.

https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/U....jpg?width=800
What should be done with historic, but deteriorated Belle Isle Boathouse?
The DNR wants to hear from you

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State officials are torn over what to do about the future of the deteriorated Belle Isle Boathouse -- and they're turning to the public for help in making a final decision....

"The boat house... that is historically the Detroit Boat house built in 1902, has been falling apart for decades and it looks a lot worse on the inside than it does on the outside, trust me," WWJ's Mike Campbell reported.

For over a year, officials have wrestled back and forth over its fate -- should the historic building be repaired? Or should it be demolished?

Now, they want to hear what the public thinks....

According to Campbell, the DNR has until next year to spend $2 million in federal money that was given to them as part of the COVID Federal Relief Act....

The public has until the end of the month to make their thoughts known. A final decision is expected to be announced in early 2024.

"The DNR encourages the public to visit the project webpage and learn about each option and then submit comments or questions via the webpage by Dec. 31," state officials said. "All comments will be reviewed, and a summary of answers to common questions will be shared on the page by Jan 5."

A link to the project webpage can be found at Michigan.gov/BelleIsle.

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Originally Posted by GPCharles

The Detroit Boat Club building was circling the drain long before the state took over management of the island.

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The building was vacant for too long.
I answered the survey, my plan: salvage the magnificent interior as much as possible. Build a new facility, new and salvaged. This is an option not mentioned, but proposed by the current DBC!

Interesting... that explains why the sail boats I used to see were not in dense groups around there years back!

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Originally Posted by Gistok

The answer to that is called "Scott Middle Ground"...

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3459...!1e3?entry=ttu

This submerged "island" is about 3 ft. under the waters surface, at its' most shallow. So from Belle Isle, the water depth goes from Belle Isle Beach down to nearly 30 ft., back up to only 3 ft. [at Scott Middle Ground], back down to nearly 30 ft., before the mainland shore.

So this part of the river north of the island is a hazardous area for boating, especially for deep keels or large rudders. :eek:

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It would be incredibly sad to lose yet another piece of Detroit's history, but let's face it, there is only so much money to go around. There are other buildings on Belle Isle in better shape that should be maintained. I'm not even sure if the Casino is well used or the Athletic Building. I think the former horse stable is a better candidate for preservation. The boat house functioned as a private club for most of its existence, but alas those days are gone.

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Originally Posted by expatriate

It would be incredibly sad to lose yet another piece of Detroit's history, but let's face it, there is only so much money to go around. There are other buildings on Belle Isle in better shape that should be maintained. I'm not even sure if the Casino is well used or the Athletic Building. I think the former horse stable is a better candidate for preservation. The boat house functioned as a private club for most of its existence, but alas those days are gone.

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There's more to the story in this column regarding the costs being incorrect:

https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/...n/71826332007/

Well, I left my comment with the DNR:
https://www.research.net/r/NPF2WNC

Who knows if they have ears, maybe they'll have the eyes to preserve this wonderful building.

Back in 2002, I created a webisode on this site of the DBC. Before folks get excited about tearing it down, I urge them to view what will be lost.

https://www.detroityes.com/webisodes...-DBC-front.php

Here's a taste...
https://www.detroityes.com/webisodes...BC-atrium3.jpg

https://www.detroityes.com/webisodes...conydetail.jpg

20 years of deferred maintenance later it probably doesn't look quite this good anymore. If it is demolished I hope the good parts of it can be salvaged.

The DNR is accepting proposals for restoring/replacing the Boat House. Deadline March31, definite plans need to be presented by end of summer. This per the BIC [[Belle Isle Conservancy meeting this morning. Advocates for saving the boathouse spoke.

There is an article in today's news, [[not worth a subsciption). Maybe someone could see if there is anything new from their viewpoint.