Detroit Zoo looking to build downtown Aquarium

**davewindsor** · May-04-18, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

Didn't the people from the Belle Isle aquarium come out in support of the proposal?

Are you sure about that? It's run by volunteers and it's only open 3 days a week if that because of the lack of funds. And, it's free admission and free parking, donations accepted.
BTW-according to their website, when it was opened in 1904, the Belle Isle aquarium was the third largest aquarium in the world.

And you want to build a $125m aquarium in downtown? Who's going to pay for it? The Belle Isle Aquarium doesn't even have enough donations, and you want to suck those scarce donation dollars from Belle Isle for a new one? Great Lakes Crossing charges $35. You think people are going to pay that plus parking when the one on Belle Isle is free and more convenient because of the free parking?

Do you even care that there is an Aquarium in Detroit? How many times have you been to the one on Belle Isle??

Originally Posted by EGrant

And parking? Really? We sit here and bemoan all the lots and structures Mike Illitch owns, but now parking in downtown Detroit is a concern?

Yes, but you can't park at one of Illitch's parking lots for free unless you're willing to make the trek to the Motor City Casino. You don't seem to be getting that point.

**Rock N Rye** · May-04-18, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

Are you sure about that? It's run by volunteers and it's only open 3 days a week if that because of the lack of funds. And, it's free admission and free parking, donations accepted.
BTW-according to their website, when it was opened in 1904, the Belle Isle aquarium was the third largest aquarium in the world.

And you want to build a $125m aquarium in downtown? Who's going to pay for it? The Belle Isle Aquarium doesn't even have enough donations, and you want to suck those scarce donation dollars from Belle Isle for a new one? Great Lakes Crossing charges $35. You think people are going to pay that plus parking when the one on Belle Isle is free and more convenient because of the free parking?

Do you even care that there is an Aquarium in Detroit? How many times have you been to the one on Belle Isle??

Yes, but you can't park at one of Illitch's parking lots for free unless you're willing to make the trek to the Motor City Casino. You don't seem to be getting that point.

So the 1.5 mile walk from Motor City Casino is a trek, but you're lazy if you don't walk 4 miles from downtown to the aquarium on Belle Isle?

**davewindsor** · May-04-18, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Rock N Rye

So the 1.5 mile walk from Motor City Casino is a trek, but you're lazy if you don't walk 4 miles from downtown to the aquarium on Belle Isle?

You've missed the point completely. The Aquarium is a family event. If you park your car at Motor City Casino without walking through the casino, your car will get towed. They have cameras everywhere. They'll know you didn't go through the casino. And, you can't take children through the casino because of the minimum age requirement. Thus, your $200 towing fee makes it not free.

If I didn't have to worry about getting my car towed, I would have no problem parking there for free and walking to downtown. It's a nice, scenic trek. I've walked from downtown to Belle Isle before too. And it's also a nice, scenic trek.

Just because I call something a "trek", doesn't mean I wouldn't do it. A lot of people lift heavy weights at the gym and complain after how sore they are, yet they keep doing it too.

**bust** · May-04-18, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

It's a nice, scenic trek. ...And it's also a nice, scenic trek.

I can't help but remember your infamous [[and hilarious) "Midtown Woodward is a cesspool" thread.

I'm not sure why you like Grand River and Jefferson so much better than Woodward. Maybe your opinion of the city has brightened overall since 2013.

**davewindsor** · May-04-18, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by bust

...
I'm not sure why you like Grand River and Jefferson so much better than Woodward. .....

Because walking along Jefferson to Belle Isle is a lot cleaner. Less graffitti, less homeless people, less boarded up buildings and a lot more well taken care of buildings, free parking as you get closer to Belle Isle, never had an issue of not being allowed to use a bathroom along Jefferson unless I buy something, etc.

**EGrant** · May-04-18, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

Are you sure about that? It's run by volunteers and it's only open 3 days a week if that because of the lack of funds. And, it's free admission and free parking, donations accepted.
BTW-according to their website, when it was opened in 1904, the Belle Isle aquarium was the third largest aquarium in the world.

Yeah I'm pretty damn sure about it. The only concern is the need to collaborate, which is valid.

Belle Isle Aquarium officials said were not worried another aquarium would tempt visitors from their site.

“Its uniqueness simply cannot be replicated, and therefore will continue to thrive," said Michele Hodges, president of the Belle Isle Conservancy. "In fact, visitor numbers have only continued to increase since Sea Life opened.

"It also is free to visit, is small, and has a strong education component. No other facility can do what we do."

Hodges said one concern was the "need for cultural institutions to collaborate when figuring out funding scenarios and operational models that are sustainable.”

Source: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...own/571372002/

**davewindsor** · May-04-18, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

Yeah I'm pretty damn sure about it. The only concern is the need to collaborate, which is valid.

Belle Isle Aquarium officials said were not worried another aquarium would tempt visitors from their site.

“Its uniqueness simply cannot be replicated, and therefore will continue to thrive," said Michele Hodges, president of the Belle Isle Conservancy. "In fact, visitor numbers have only continued to increase since Sea Life opened.

"It also is free to visit, is small, and has a strong education component. No other facility can do what we do."

Hodges said one concern was the "need for cultural institutions to collaborate when figuring out funding scenarios and operational models that are sustainable.”

Source: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...own/571372002/

You saying "Didn't the people from the Belle Isle aquarium come out in support of the proposal? and the article saying,
"Belle Isle Aquarium officials said were not worried another aquarium would tempt visitors from their site.", is not the same thing.

Admission is free to the BIA, so it doesn't affect their funding model if they lose visitors. So saying they're not worried about a reduction of visitors is just stating a logical fact. Why would they be? BUT, some of the funding they do get could be diverted to the new Aquarium if it's built so close, which is why BIA officials would not say they support another Aquarium so close by like downtown.

**Bong-Man** · May-05-18, 03:14 PM

I don't think we need an aquarium at all. There's too many already...the novelty has worn off. I'd go for this city, the big 3, and private collectors putting together the greatest car collection display in the world in that space....but that's just me.

**Detroit Stylin** · May-05-18, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by Bong-Man

I don't think we need an aquarium at all. There's too many already...the novelty has worn off. I'd go for this city, the big 3, and private collectors putting together the greatest car collection display in the world in that space....but that's just me.

Which makes just way too much sense considering some of the most iconic cars in the world were made right here.