Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee

Michigan Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee
Parks

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
9:00 a.m. EDT

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team

Note-taking by Sandi Nelson

Following months of calls to save the Belle Isle Boathouse, the $2 million designated for its demolition will not be used. The committee scheduled a special session at Flynn Pavilion on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. to address questions concerning the preferred plan for its renovation.

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Live reporting by Amy Senese

Following months of calls to save the Belle Isle Boathouse, the $2 million designated for its demolition will not be used. The committee scheduled a special session at Flynn Pavilion on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. to address questions concerning the preferred plan for its renovation.

amy k senese 🍉
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 2/44
Info on joining this morning's meeting virtually or in person can be found at the State of Michigan website: michigan.gov/dnr/about/boar…
michigan.gov/dnr/about/boar…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 3/44
Here's the agenda for today: michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Pr…
michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Pr…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 4/44
This August was the last meeting Detroit Documenters covered; meeting notes were taken by Maryam Moss, and live reporting was done by @williams_ashsue Reporting can be found on the #detdocumenters website: detroit.documenters.org/assignments/be…
detroit.documenters.org/assignments/be…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 5/44
The Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee is right now considering two proposals for restoring the Belle Isle Boathouse, but it sounds like demolition is still on the table, according to the @detroitnews detroitnews.com/story/news/loc…
detroitnews.com/story/news/loc…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 6/44
Here's more on the state of the building from @media_outlier outliermedia.org/belle-isle-boa…
outliermedia.org/belle-isle-boa…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 7/44
‼️ IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 8/44
That's all for now; I'll be back at 9am for live reporting! In the meantime, check out the latest #Detdocumenters newsletter: outliermedia.org/newsletter/loc…
outliermedia.org/newsletter/loc…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 9/44
The meeting is live. First up is the Resolution to recognize Michele Hodges for her service to the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee. Hodges was president of the committee for over 10 years.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 10/44
Now Melia Howard, the newest BIPAC member is introducing herself. Howard was the former District 5 Manager and is now director of community relations in the Duggan administration.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 11/44
Now on to general updates. Ron Olson from Parks and Recreation is up first.
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Recreation Passport could be updated to be added automatically to your driver's license fees, with the option to opt out or add a donation. They would have to pass legislation.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 13/44
Updates from Tom Bissett Summer staff were officially removed from the payroll, and Bissett thanked them for all their good work. The Harvest Festival was a great event. Mdot is wrapping up their resurfacing project, watch out for lane changes, especially around the beach.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 14/44
The restrooms will be open for a minimum of two weeks, and they will start to close in November.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 15/44
Now, a memorandum suggesting a special session for a public boathouse proposal presentation is being discussed. Bissett suggests an evening meeting on October 29th or November 7th. Stakeholders can attend, listen to proposals, and ask questions.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 16/44
Dr. Meagan Elliott, the new president, has called for a vote to hold the meeting on November 7th, which has been approved unanimously. This will be held at 6 pm on November 7th at the Flynn Pavillion. It will be open to the public with a virtual option.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 17/44
Now, an update from Lt. Todd Szyska. Speeding is the biggest issue on the island. They have 24/7 coverage. Board members are asking about signage, but it's expensive.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 18/44
Now, they are discussing the dangers of the closed Belle Isle Zoo after a woman was recently caught taking her child's prom photos there. freep.com/story/news/loc…
freep.com/story/news/loc…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 19/44
Officers found her social media posts and investigated. The parks division must give permission for any professional photography. This happened quite a while ago, but is just now getting media attention.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 20/44
It causes a lot of issues; people get injured, and some years ago, they found a body.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 21/44
All the structures in the Belle Isle Zoo are planned for demolition. Belle Isle is a great place for photo shoots, but the closed zoo is not one of them.
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Now, the an infrastructure update with Amanda Treadwell, Urban Field Planner.
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Lots of updates on the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, getting ready to reopen early 2025
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New casino roof is complete, final inspection Monday. There are new storm lines in the basement.
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They are working to make the casino more accessible when it reopens for events.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 26/44
Accessibility updates continued...
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 27/44
Ralph C. Wilson Jr Trail updates. They are working to gather native plant material for shoreline restoration next year.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 28/44
MDOT Microsurfacing from Picnic Way to MacArthur Bridge. There are new pavement markings for vehicles and 2-way cycle track and on street parking. Special markings for cycle track at intersections. Installation of new ADA ramps along the Strand.
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Athletic Shelter Heating
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 30/44
ARPA funded projects: total of $23 million
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 31/44
continue the thread here https://x.com/amysenese/status/1846910210939433328
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 32/44
Most of the ARPA money is committed, it's unclear if it can be spent on the boathouse. It will depend on the proposals. It sounds like 2 million dollars are remaining.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 33/44
Now, "the best part of the meeting" public comment. The public has 3 minutes. It's not meant to be a back-and-forth discussion.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 34/44
#1 (in person) Detroit resident has been coming to meetings all summer in regards to the boathouse. Excited about the upcoming meeting in November. In regards to speeding, thinks there should be more speed limit signs.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 35/44
#2 Henry Gates, friends of Detroit rowing Clarifying that the $2 million dollars was originally meant for the boathouse & has been allocated elsewhere. A board member clarified earlier it has to be allocated to keep the funds, money can be moved around. Would like more specifics.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 36/44
It sounds like the ARPA funds originally allocated to the boathouse were for demolition.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 37/44
Virtual comments #3 Asking for the November 7th meeting to be sent out to City Council and promoted.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 38/44
#4 Carolyn Hopes that at some point they would bring back the holiday stroll after the conservancy reopens. Concerned about reversing the direction of traffic on Central through the forest. Worried about the impact on the forest.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 39/44
Now, concluding comments from the board. Angelo Lugo-Thomas would like future openings on the board or staff to prioritize Indigenous residents. She will keep repeating that until they address it.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 40/44
A board member agrees that speed limit signs would help. There's so much beauty on the island that it's easy to get distracted while driving around it.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 41/44
New president Dr. Meagan Elliott agrees about Indigenous representation and engagement.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 42/44
Here's more on Dr. Meagan Elliot from Bridge Detroit. bridgedetroit.com/new-president-…
bridgedetroit.com/new-president-…
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 43/44
President Elliott encourages people to attend in the November 7th meeting in person at 6 p.m. in the Flynn Pavillion for the Boathouse presentations. Also asking for everyone to spread the word.
amy k senese 🍉 @amysenese 44/44
The meeting is adjourned at 10:09 AM. This concludes my live coverage of the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Meeting for Oct 17th. Find more coverage at documenters.org
documenters.org
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Agency Information

Michigan Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee

www.michigan.gov

See Documenters reporting

The Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee advises the state on implementation of improvements, master planning and public safety for Belle Isle Park.

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