Interesting move by the State. I wonder how much it makes from these licenses.

I would like to see the canoes come back to the canals but I don't see anything mentioned here.

Also this article says the state has invested 12 million in the island and I am asking, "Really? Where?" There is little visible evidence. The must be including law enforcement cost but technically that is not investment.
Last fall, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources asked area businesses to bid on 12 contracts for recreational and concession opportunities on the island. In total, 28 firms entered bids, with 10 Detroit-based companies submitting proposals. [[Just as a side note: Where were y’all? How could there only be 28 bidders for 12 plum contracts?)

Today the DNR released the winners:

  • Athletic complex, including scheduling athletic fields [[two bids): Come Play Detroit in partnership with Healthy Detroit and New York City-based Biederman Redevelopment Ventures
  • Golf driving range [[four bids): Francine Pegues, president of Detroit-based Dan Teak LLC, who was most recently responsible for developing “lists of prequalified businesses and general contractors working on the $300 million Wayne County Consolidated Jail Project,” according to her LinkedIn page.
  • Mobile food services [[three bids; two winners): Nancy Kuykendall [[no further information); Gino Maisano, owner of What’s Up Dawg, which was formerly open in Dearborn
  • Mobile ice cream services [[five bids; two winners): Hamtramck-based NYC Yogurt, owned by Saad Almasmari; Detroit-based Edible Liz, owned by Liz Godwin
  • Kids row food concession [[five bids): Bert Dearing, owner of Bert’s Warehouse in Eastern Market
  • Watercraft/bike/snow sport equipment rental [[three bids): Wyandotte-based Riverside Kayak Connection
  • Electric carriage ride service [[two bids): Farmington Hills-based Andre’s Carriage Tours, owned by Dave Ducharme
  • Porta-potty and handwash station rental [[one bid): Ypsilanti-based Parkway Services Inc.
  • Mobile toy sales [[two bids): Joselyn Jackson, who owns St. Clair Shores-based Glitter-N-Glow Novelties
  • Beach chair/umbrella rental [[one bid): Detroit-based Caliente Detroit, owned by Alicia Chapman and a brand of her firm Chappy Group Investments LLC

The most high-profile contract is for the athletic complex, which was awarded to Come Play Detroit. The Detroit-based company has been organizing sports leagues on the island for the past five years and last year was awarded the contract to manage the permits and scheduling for the playing fields. That will continue this year while CPD founder Justin Jacobs will also be looking at a major overhaul of the complex.

"We're definitely looking to take the lead on a fundraising campaign to completely renovate the athletic complex and turn it into a state-of-the-art hub for health and wellness," Jacobs said.

Because that is a such a significant overhaul, Jacobs asked New York City-based Biederman Redevelopment Ventures to partner with him since it has been involved with such high-profile projects as Bryant Park in NYC and Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston.
Belle Isle is a Michigan state park. Former Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr leased the 982-acre park to the state for 30 years beginning in February 2014. Since then, the state has invested nearly $12 million in the park, including removing hazardous trees and renovating and reopening bathrooms.
Source: Crain's Detroit Business