Restoration of the Detroit Boat Club Ruin?

[Lowell]

Just spotted in an email from Crains... I couldn't see details behind the paywall but anytime I see anyone willing to pay for an architectural rendering I file that under "significant interest".

The only thing notable I see being saved on this back view is the small bandshell. The swimming pool would be come a lawn. With a rowing boat in the background it gives a nod to the continuation of the historic Detroit Boat Club at the site.

We'll see. But after Michigan Central and the progress at Lee Plaza, nothing seems impossible anymore, does it?

[Airforceguy]

Belle Isle Boathouse restoration plan would add public marina, water taxis and restaurants

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which operates Belle Isle under a contract with the city of Detroit, said at a recent Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee meeting that it had chosen a proposal to move forward with the restoration of the historic boathouse. It plans to release details at a public hearing Nov. 7 at Belle Isle’s Flynn Pavilion.Crain's obtained the plan through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Stuart Pitman Inc., a Detroit-based firm led by David Carleton, a vocal supporter of saving the boathouse, would be the lead developer of the $30 million-$35 million public-private project that would restore the facility.

Carleton was the developer of the historic Grand Army of the Republic building on Grand River Ave., which was formerly home to Parks & Rec Diner and Republic Tavern restaurants. Carleton said he intends to bring the same operating model to the boathouse plan. The boathouse proposal was developed in just eight weeks given a tight turnaround deadline, and it is still a working document, he said.

But if all goes according to plan, with financing secured and needed leases in place between the city, DNR and others, renovations would begin in June and the boathouse would reopen in summer 2027.

The Detroit Boat Club, a private club with facilities on Belle Isle starting in 1891, built the current boathouse in 1902. It is one of the oldest concrete structures in the country, according to the DNR, and the building became susceptible to water damage due to lack of maintenance over the past several decades. The city purchased the facility in 1996 when the Detroit Boat Club organization moved out of Detroit, according to the Detroit Historical Society.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/nonpro...is-restaurants

[Satiricalivory]

Making money off the place with a marina, a restaurant and space for events makes the most sense. There will be tons of weddings here.

[K-slice]

I'm very impressed with this proposal after reading the Crain's article. The wide variety of uses is really surprising to me.

• A new public boating marina, water taxis, canoe and kayak rentals and complimentary on-island shuttles.
• Restoration of the original grand ballroom to bring back weddings and special events.
• A model sailboat pond for kids where the kiddie pool once operated.
• Areas for bocce ball and curling created by filling in the Olympic-sized pool plus other seasonal events on the boathouse grounds.
• Restored and expanded storage and training spaces for nonprofit rowing and sailing programs.
• A casual restaurant called The Olympian Riverside, with riverside and indoor seating on the first floor of the boathouse.
• The Oak Room on Belle Isle, an upscale restaurant on the second floor offering outdoor riverview seating on the terrace.
• An ice cream parlor.

[expatriate]

About the Boat Club history: It has been my understanding [[which of course may be incorrect) that the Club lost their almost free lease on the land the building sits on due to their refusal to open up membership. I went there several times in the 60s and remember that it appeared to be exclusively white, even as the demographics of the city were changing.

[Zads07]

Here's the website on the proposal. You have to enter your email to view it, but hey, cool they want to show it off to the public more.

https://www.detroitboathouseconserva...5KycsSHwy7d5mA

[Zacha341]

Yes. They were holding on to jim-crow with an extra tight grip.

As the 70's and 80's onward came it was not unheard of to know plenty black people owning boats. This especially so when the auto industry was paying big/ plenty-of-overtime... Before inflation, etc. Plenty of water craft on properties, lots. When they weren't in the water.

Duh...... time the club lost in their exclusionary practices.

...the Club lost their almost free lease on the land the building sits on due to their refusal to open up membership. I went there several times in the 60s and remember that it appeared to be exclusively white, even as the demographics of the city were changing.

[Wintel]

Losing the pool's a bummer, but if it means saving the bandshell and keeping the vibe of the Boat Club, I'm cautiously optimistic. Anything feels possible in Detroit these days