Orion on Belle Isle. Island Closed for festival?

[Honky Tonk]

I have just learned from the Michigan Handball Association that the handball courts, which have been shut off since last Thursday, will now continue to be shut off until June 11 - 13 freaking days because of gear heads and metal heads. 13 days for for-profit ventures. Who needs to sell Belle Isle? It's SOLD.

It was, a long time ago, by Yall's Boy, KKK. After he ate the deer & fish. I'm watching this scenario unfold. So far this year, you haven't really had use of the Western tip of the island, [[you know, where all the restrooms are?) since last week of February/first week of March. Now access is going to be delayed even longer due to the Metal Licka' Noise Fest. Next year, let's see if they schedule a few more "events" after the Grand Prix. In a few years, someone will post the question "When did the GP barricades start staying up 24/7 and car access cut off from the island?" or "Was there EVER access to the West tip of the island?" I'm starting to wonder who's REALLY opposing the DNR running Belle Isle?

[Django]

You both make good points. Scary thought not being able to enjoy Belle Isle as we usually do. What can we do to stop the whoring out of our Crown Jewell?
I was really excited about the concert coming to Belle Isle when I heard about it last year but now Lowell has put thing in perspective for me. This could be very bad.

Next year will we see some old lady on Antiques Roadshow getting an appraisal for a Henry Moore he bought at a little auction in Detroit.

[Django]

I rode down to Cobo yesterday to check out the shuttle scene. It was a full 6 blocks of ppl waiting to get on a bus to be driven onto B.I. for the show. The official Orion website said that taking the shuttle would be the only way into the show and there would be no walk ins. I then rode to B.I. and the bridge was shut down to all but bike and foot traffic but there were a boatload of ppl walking onto the island with wristbands to get into the show. It turned out that anyone with a wristband [[with microchip) could freely walk on to the Island and get in the show.

They seemed to keep the parking problem at bay for a minute but I imagine today there will be a lot more concert goers ignoring the shuttle system and just walking onto the island.

I sat as close as I could get and enjoyed the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I hope to get in tonight to see Metallica. I was lucky enough to hear their soundcheck of about 6 songs on Friday.

[adamjab19]

It looks like part of the waiting, according to the freep, was for the tickets too in Cobo. Plus to wait for the bus?? It seems like a weird setup.

Movement has their ticket exchange 100 feet from the festival entrance and it works just fine. So why not have people park where they want, offer shuttle service at a few designated areas and let people get their wristbands on the island?

[Django]

adamjab, that seems like the best logical solution. That way local businesses along Jefferson get some action and vacant lots get used for parking. Now thats its known that you dont HAVE to take the shuttle in everyone will be parking along that strip of Jefferson.

The tickets were given out inside Cobo and then the shuttle dtop was just around the corner.
Im headin down there now, hopin to get a cheap or miracle ticket so I can catch Metallica.

[Islandman]

The buses worked just fine. The first day took about 30 minutes to get on a bus to go to BI, and about 40 minutes to leave BI back to Cobo. Just as bad when going to Pine Knob or the Palace.

The second day it took 5 minutes for the bus and about 20 to go back.

They even had shuttles going to Windsor, something the DEMF should have done years ago.

For the first year, the logistics were excellent. They were even giving away free concert T-shirts for anyone that collected a bag of recycled cans; great idea and many people were doing it.

There was also a "dubstep" tent that was on jam all weekend, so it drew in a completely different crowd.

A ton of people came in from out of town for this, even met some people from Finland, Spain, and Poland, and from many different states. All these people contributed to our local economy, had a great time, and have a new perspective on our city.

A few weekends like this during the summer is not that big of a deal for me, bu I may be in the minority.

Granted, the area used for the festival was much smaller than I anticipated. I won tickets on the WRIF to go check out Metallica's set on Friday, so everything was empty except for about 20 people. The park could have been open to the general public, but it would have made transportation with the buses a mess.

Edit: Parked for free at the Greektown Casino, caught the People Mover to Cobo.

Further, all of the bartenders and most of the people working the fest were local. Security, bartenders et al. I'm hoping they made bank. Good for our community whether you like metal or not.

[sumas]

I am with you Lowell. The park is SOLD. Some dimwitts give the city 100k. They get to use a small portion but shut down the rest to public access. Sic!

They couldn't even shuttle folks in, in a timely basis.

[Islandman]

sumas,

They were moving thousands of people. It was very timely. Like I said, it's taken me longer to leave the Palace or Pine Knob after a concert, but what do I know. I was actually on those buses.

And yes, I do agree they should not have shut down the entire island considering the small portion they were using.

Changes are coming, so one can either deal with them or not.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It doesn't sound like too many folks on here actually went.

Reminds me of people bitching after the DEMF started charging.