DETROIT (WWJ) - State officials are torn over what to do about the future of the deteriorated Belle Isle Boathouse -- and they're turning to the public for help in making a final decision.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said the 40,000-square-foot Belle Isle Boathouse was declared structurally unsound in August of 2022 due to significant deterioration, including a collapsed floor, a caved-in roof, peeling exterior stucco, deteriorated steel and concrete structural members, and other structural needs.
"The boat house... that is historically the Detroit Boat house built in 1902, has been falling apart for decades and it looks a lot worse on the inside than it does on the outside, trust me," WWJ's Mike Campbell reported.
For over a year, officials have wrestled back and forth over its fate -- should the historic building be repaired? Or should it be demolished?
Now, they want to hear what the public thinks.
"With limited funds available, the DNR faces the difficult decision of investing in a portion of the necessary structural repairs without a long-term solution or removing the building and repurposing the space," officials said.
According to Campbell, the DNR has until next year to spend $2 million in federal money that was given to them as part of the COVID Federal Relief Act.
Demolition estimates come to about $2 million, the DNR added, while contractors said renovating the historic building would cost significantly more -- apporximently $41.9 million more.
“The DNR has been working toward a Belle Isle Boathouse solution through the commission of various studies, but we haven’t been successful in galvanizing interest in private or public funding to pay for the needed repairs,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “The state Legislature has approved $23 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for improvements on Belle Isle to be under construction by the end of 2024, and the department is considering many projects, including $2 million earmarked for the boathouse.”
The DNR said an estimated $200 million is needed to address critical repairs on the island, including projects such as climate control for the Belle Isle Aquarium and Conservatory, structural and mechanical updates for the James Scott Memorial Fountain, and parkwide restroom and picnic shelter improvements.
Campbell said if the DNR spends money to make the necessary repairs to the boathouse, it still wouldn't be usable -- but users on social media say its worth saving due to its significance as the last rowing building on the Great Lakes.
"Other people are saying, 'look, the money could be better spent elsewhere,'" Campbell added.
The public has until the end of the month to make their thoughts known. A final decision is expected to be announced in early 2024
"The DNR encourages the public to visit the project webpage and learn about each option and then submit comments or questions via the webpage by Dec. 31," state officials said. "All comments will be reviewed, and a summary of answers to common questions will be shared on the page by Jan 5."
A link to the project webpage can be found at Michigan.gov/BelleIsle.