Belle Isle Boathouse Rehab Plan Will Transform Property into ‘Community Facility’

Restoration of the historic Belle Isle Boathouse is moving forward as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources selected the proposal after years of debate over preserving the structure.

The selected proposal is a $30 million to $35 million public-private restoration plan called the Belle Isle Gateway Project. It aims to transform the boathouse into a year-round community hub with new amenities to boost activities on both land and water — with a new public dock, several new restaurants, event space and more.

David Carlton, the project’s lead developer and principal of Detroit-based select firm Stuart Pitman Inc., called the proposal a “working document” that was put together over eight weeks because of a state deadline.

“We still have a few steps to go before it’s done,” he told the Free Press. “There’s a lot more in the exploratory stages, but basically we want to restore the building and make sure it becomes a community asset and not the private club that it was.”

Ahead of Thursday’s public meeting at Belle Isle’s Flynn Pavilion, the Free Press obtained the project proposal through a Freedom of Information Act request to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which oversees Belle Isle as a state park through a lease with the city.

“The renovated boathouse will create another exciting headline for the city of Detroit and the entire state,” Carlton said in the proposal. “In the shade Michigan Central Station and Book towerthe regenerated site will be just as anticipated, creating countless jobs and offering a range of exciting new assets for the local community.”

So, what can be new for boating?

Improving visitor experience through increased accessibility and activity

Although Belle Isle is a major boating destination, it has no public docks.

“Right now, unless you’re a member of the Detroit Yacht Club, there’s no mooring space on the island for anyone from the island — a fisherman, a regular boat or a sailboat,” Carlton said, adding that the new Belle Isle Marina can to fix

Whether they want to enjoy the boathouse, the aquarium or the greenhouse, the public marina will give people the opportunity to take a boat to the island and dock at the restored facility.

Also in the proposed plan are three new dining options, including a casual dining room, a formal restaurant in the historic Oak Room and an ice cream parlor.

As part of the restoration, the boathouse’s original large ballroom will once again become a venue for weddings and special events.

The developers are also looking to offer outdoor courts for seasonal events, as well as bike, kayak and canoe rentals.

Ultimately, the project could provide Detroit residents and visitors access to Belle Isle from multiple locations along the Detroit River with water taxis as well as island shuttles to various attractions, helping to ease traffic congestion. However, these services may take some time to roll out, Carleton said.

“It just creates an opportunity for these exciting things that the island has been dancing around for a long time,” he said.

The building formerly housed the Detroit Boat Club and is now leased by the Friends of Detroit Rowing Club. The structure has suffered significant damage in recent years, which worsened in 2022 when parts of the roof, floor and exterior plaster collapsed, along with other structural problems, the DNR said.

The ultimate home for non-profit sailing and rowing programs

The renovated Belle Isle Boathouse will continue to host the longstanding sailing and rowing programs hosted by Friends of Detroit Rowing and the Detroit Community Sailing Center. However, the project will create an updated and elaborately designed space for the two groups.

“Initially, my goal here was simply to restore this incredible structure. It is a wonderful piece of architecture. But then I fell in love (with) two programs,” Carlton said. “They do a great job in the community, getting people more involved with the waterfront, teaching water safety and more.”

The sailing and rowing programs faced restrictions after the partial collapse of the porch in 2022. The renovations will provide modern amenities, expand program space and improve community access.

Financing

Stuart Pitman Inc. and their partners estimate the cost of the renovation at about $30 million to $35 million, according to the proposal, which would be funded by nonprofit, commercial and public sources. Belle Isle Boathouse Management, Inc. is a newly formed non-profit organization. (BIB Management) will manage the boathouse in the long term, ensuring open access and seeking charitable and commercial donations.

“It’s really going to be a mixed bag of funding. The nonprofit division will simply allow us to receive donations from individuals or foundations,” Carlton said.

what’s next

A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Belle Isle Flynn Pavilion.

During the meeting, Carlton will present his plan to the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee and take questions and comments from the committee and the public.

Once the information is gathered, meetings will be held with the DNR’s internal team, Detroit officials and key stakeholders, including Friends of Detroit Rowing, the Detroit Community Sailing Center and the Belle Isle Conservancy, DNR spokesman Tom Bissett said. The goal is to answer outstanding questions and determine the necessary steps for the proposal.

“This is only the first step. This is only a suggestion; it doesn’t necessarily mean that everything in the proposal will be done, and it doesn’t mean that nothing in the proposal will be done,” Bisset said. “The next step in research discussions, I think, is probably something we should look forward to.”

According to the proposed plan, if funding and agreements are secured, the project could begin in early 2025 and the Belle Isle Boathouse could be open to the public by the end of 2027. Repair work will begin from the outside of the facility.

“The hard lift is that the look. The roof, although in very good condition, is not 100%. We need a new roof installed. We have to deal with the failure of part of the deck that happened two or three years ago, and then this exterior of the concrete material that’s literally peeling off, we’re going to take it off,” Carlton said. “We have to protect the shell so we can get inside and make the necessary improvements.”

The restorers plan to remove unsuitable materials, repair the brick substructure and preserve the building’s original design.

Carlton previously rebuilt Detroit Grand Army of the Republic the castle-like building is a triangular building located at the intersection of Cass, Grand River, and Adams avenues in downtown Detroit.

“My most recent project was the preservation of a Civil War-era building in downtown Detroit that began to tell that part of the city’s history. I didn’t think I’d have another opportunity to do something this significant, so I’m obviously excited about the opportunity,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll get an agreement with the state and the city soon and we’ll be up and running.”

Nur Rahal is a breaking news reporter. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.

This story has been updated to include a video.

This article originally appeared on the Detroit Free Press: Belle Isle Boathouse Restoration Proposal: Restaurants, Public Marina