  Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 2292 Registered: 10-2003 |
Interesting tidbit from the Snews today about the Belle Isle Aquarium and Zoo. The Parks & Rec. Dept want to turn it into an X-Games park. http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20080725/METRO 01/807250303 Do what you want with the zoo. It wasn't that great of a place when it was open, but I'm not getting how the aquarium fits into this plan. It's not time to ring the alarm bells, but it would be good to keep close tabs on the project. | ||
Jazzfan Member Username: Jazzfan Post Number: 15 Registered: 07-2008 |
I think whatever mental illness BRC has is spreading. That's just stupid! They should turn the park over to the Metropark system, charge $1 or $2 per car do get on the island, and make the improvements needed to make it a 1st class park. This sounds like a very desperate administration. Selling the tunnel, trying to sell of parks and golf courses. All quick fixes for a broken system. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 931 Registered: 04-2006 |
What idiots. An xgames park might be nice, but the zoo was fine as it was. The Aquarium though... WHAT IDIOTS. it was great before. sometimes I just have to say DUH. if you let expensive equipment sit around (and prob get stolen) for 3 years, AND disperse a 4000 fish collection... YEAH it will be more expensive to reopen. I really hate the GOVERNMENT in this city. uuughh.. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 11959 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: For the millionth time - when the city approached HMCA they were politiely told to you F off. I'm not trying to jump on you but this misconception is thrown out too foten. | ||
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj Post Number: 609 Registered: 11-2003 |
Classic Detroit Style, Expect Nothing More" ""We never should have closed," Councilwoman JoAnn Watson said Thursday." "City planning director Marcell Todd said the cost, not citing a dollar figure, of reopening the facility has increased substantially because of deterioration of equipment that has occurred since the shutdown." | ||
Registeredguest Member Username: Registeredguest Post Number: 392 Registered: 10-2003 |
"What idiots. An xgames park might be nice, but the zoo was fine as it was. The Aquarium though... WHAT IDIOTS. it was great before. sometimes I just have to say DUH. if you let expensive equipment sit around (and prob get stolen) for 3 years, AND disperse a 4000 fish collection... YEAH it will be more expensive to reopen. I really hate the GOVERNMENT in this city. uuughh.." You can also blame the residents of this region who never visited the aquarium or cared about it until it closed. Or, remember the arts and culture tax that the majority of residents in this region failed supported - if it had passed, we may still have the BI zoo and aquarium. But, when all else fails, let's pick on the easy targets - council and the mayor. | ||
Topflight Member Username: Topflight Post Number: 19 Registered: 04-2008 |
Federal Money - Is it easier to get money for the X-Games Park than to repair/reopen and existing aquarium which cannot get any additional grant/federal/donations? | ||
Ltdave Member Username: Ltdave Post Number: 161 Registered: 09-2006 |
well, living way up in Fort Gratiot, my wife and visited the Isle, its zoo and the Aquarium a couple of times during the summer and at least once a year during the winter. admission was free with a Zoo membership... we miss it. there isnt any real reason to visit now unless you want to sit in a traffic jam of youths. i can get a super view of the river (st clair river) and the lake right here at home... | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 11962 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: With the exception of the west side of the island, the hand ball courts, driving range, golf course, beach, fishing, conservatory, giant slide and the sounds of the bell tower. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 5171 Registered: 02-2005 |
So there's this, the Maritime Academy proposal (which goes far beyond replacing the DBC), and the fact that a ton of pavement has been laid for staging areas for the Grand Prix. YO, wake up: this park was designed by Olmstead (and the Aquarium by Kahn). How much do you want to change it to bring in random events and money? The primary purpose of the park is for use and appreciation by residents and visitors. It won't be long before we'll have to say "the former Belle Isle Park was designed by Olmstead." I'm all for making BI more of a gathering place and more appealing to different people, but these efforts need to be minimal and targeted. We don't have ANY details on this aquarium-conversion proposal, so take my comments as a more general complaint about the directions things have been headed in. If the Aquarium can be preserved and re-used (even as a fun-camp for kids), then that is probably a very good thing. We'll see what is in the offing. | ||
Registeredguest Member Username: Registeredguest Post Number: 393 Registered: 10-2003 |
"i can get a super view of the river (st clair river) and the lake right here at home..." In addition, you can get a healthy dose of E Coli. http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20080722/METRO /807220411 Ahhhh - the sweet smell of good ole Macomb county sewage... | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 1256 Registered: 03-2008 |
Strongly against this one. Why The Aquarium? The carousel Idea is also a horrible idea, in my opinion. We already have one in both Comerica Park and The Riverwalk. That's not to mention the two (I think) at the State Fair. To many will kill the novelty, and doom them all. Does every park in Detroit need a carousel? It's a waste of money too. Let's build more soon to be abandoned buildings (gift shops and restrooms). Quote: "...but (The Council) are starting to realize their dream (reopening the aquarium) may not mesh with the financial realities of the city and the desires of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick." Are they serious? Cripes, show some backbone while working for the residents. This idea is possibly more idiotic than that MCS Police quarters nonsense he was spitting a few years ago. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1849 Registered: 11-2003 |
It will never happen. Unless the Conservancy or Penske get behind it, it will not happen. If Kwame wants it, it definitely won't happen. | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 779 Registered: 06-2005 |
^^^ Metro Beach is on Lake St. Clair not the St. Clair River. The water from Metro eventually makes it's way to Belle Isle, but has no chance of going up river into the St.Clair River. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 932 Registered: 04-2006 |
"You can also blame the residents of this region who never visited the aquarium or cared about it until it closed." - the article stated that 100,000 people visited it the year it closed. That is actually pretty good. it is roughly twice the attendance at MOCAD, and let's say, half of the DIA. (hard to estimate because they have not had predictable attendance figures since they began renovations YEARS ago) aside from 32 hookers, how many people visit the manoogian mansion every year? | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 2769 Registered: 07-2004 |
^^ Andylinn: Hahaha. You're killin' me!  | ||
Registeredguest Member Username: Registeredguest Post Number: 394 Registered: 10-2003 |
"The article stated that 100,000 people visited it the year it closed." How about the year before that, or the year before that? Attendance has been on a declining trend: 113,000 visitors toured the aquarium in 1995, 86,000 in 2000, and 56,000 in 2004... I am not condoning council, only stating that they're a mere portion of the problem and an easy target for the reactionary types, of which there appear to be many in this region. "^^^ Metro Beach is on Lake St. Clair not the St. Clair River. The water from Metro eventually makes it's way to Belle Isle, but has no chance of going up river into the St.Clair River." Thanks for the geography lesson. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 1058 Registered: 11-2006 |
So irritating. I emailed certain councilmembers with my opinions on the subject - which btw I have generally had constructive feedback from many members when writing to them, and they do at least appear to appreciate citizen response. Either find a way to re-open the aquarium in conjunction with a skate park, or make the mayor live up to his promise of building a grand new aquarium along the riverfront. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 933 Registered: 04-2006 |
still, my point stands. Aquarium is of more value to the people of Detroit than the Manoogian. | ||
Detx Member Username: Detx Post Number: 168 Registered: 07-2007 |
I agree it’s sad to see the aquarium and zoo go but the idea of a X-Games quality skate park is tantalizing. As the article states, there’s nothing like that in the city of Detroit, which there should be by now, and I know a lot of skaters (such as myself) have been waiting for a skate park in the city proper. Skate parks draw a different crowd than your typical family/couple coming to town to see a ball game. Skaters tend to gravitate to urban areas and stay and explore. Their confluence at Belle Isle could spill out into downtown, giving Detroit more bodies on the street, thus producing a boon to local businesses there. Furthermore, most skaters are teenagers. If they come to Detroit and enjoy their time there, they may grow to love the city over time, and may, when they come of age, decided to live in Detroit. If it’s done right maybe Detroit will host an X-Games in the future. How cool will that be? | ||
French777 Member Username: French777 Post Number: 498 Registered: 10-2006 |
Yeah! I wish it was a Metropark though! I go to Stoney Creek Metropark all the time in the summer and it seems like its always being improved by either ( Better beaches, cleaner water, new bike paths, repaved roads and bike paths) Ect.... | ||
French777 Member Username: French777 Post Number: 499 Registered: 10-2006 |
I heard that the Metroparks wanted to buy Belle Isle and make it a Metropark but Coleman didn't sell! | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 11963 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: I believe that is correct but would prefer if someone else can validate. If that is the question CAY screwed up. But in the recent past HMCA was approached about BI and they were less than receptive. The funny thing is that HMCA cries that they are broke but the capital improvement projects doen at Stoney Creek and Kensington are ridiculous. Not the maintenance but new stuff. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 7516 Registered: 02-2004 |
YAY! The Belle Isle Zoo and aqaurium to become a X Games Park. That would bring hip cool skinny jean Jesus haired white folks to Detroit. I hope Shawn White like it. | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 327 Registered: 04-2008 |
How about if we tear down the Manoogian Mansion and replace it with a Clown Hall of Fame? | ||
Dbc Member Username: Dbc Post Number: 138 Registered: 09-2006 |
At the risk of being yelled at, I thought there was still a zoo on Belle Isle. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo run by the Detroit Zoo, no? As for the idea, this is yet another one of Kwame's harebrained schemes that will not come to fruition. First the maritime academy, now this. Every time I think he couldn't possibly top himself in the asinine category, he goes ahead and does it. Amazing. (Message edited by DBC on July 25, 2008) | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 3027 Registered: 09-2007 |
*Speaking in a calm voice* Yes Dbc, that is correct. However, the full-service (outdoor) Zoo on Belle Isle has been closed for nearly 10 years. It is funny how they can't afford to maintain an Aquarium (or Zoo) but can open a skateboard park. | ||
Beatsworking Member Username: Beatsworking Post Number: 118 Registered: 08-2004 |
I think a skateboard park would be great for kids in the city. But I think think this is a horrible idea. The only time an indoor skate park sees steady business is in the winter... and very few seem to stay open these days. I've always thought a free, outdoor, concrete skateboard park on the riverfront would be ideal. It's something I am definitely planning on suggesting to the DRC, in regards to the development of the West Riverfront. Chicago has 2 parks (1 north, 1 south) on the lake and they're always jammed. On Belle Isle... what a waste. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 3028 Registered: 09-2007 |
^Agreed. Belle Isle should remain a relatively formal park (IMO), with things like museum & zoo attractions (fundamental places). | ||
Fnemecek Member Username: Fnemecek Post Number: 2863 Registered: 12-2004 |
quote: True. Of course, the ironic part is that even with the aquarium's attendance numbers hitting an all-time low in 2004, they are still 5 - 6 times higher than what we'd likely see from a skate park. Pedlow Field Skate Park in Los Angeles is one of the largest public skate parks in the country. It only gets approx. 15,000 skaters per year. That's with being in a city that has a population almost 4 times larger than Detroit and where skate boarding is much more ingrained into the local culture. quote: It's funny. I was thinking the same thing. | ||
Ltdave Member Username: Ltdave Post Number: 164 Registered: 09-2006 |
""driving range, golf course, beach, fishing"" you think, the Isle is the only place to do these things? ive got them all within 15 minute drive let alone an HOUR and 15 minutes... ""In addition, you can get a healthy dose of E Coli...Ahhhh - the sweet smell of good ole Macomb county sewage"" except im 50 miles UPSTREAM of any tainted beaches in Macomb County (which by the way the bacteria flows right past the island, downstream...) and i stand corrected, there is the dossin museum. although my wife and daughter would rather visit the American Girl place in chicago... | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 3030 Registered: 09-2007 |
How many children in Detroit proper (roughly 100,000) actually know how to skateboard & how often do they use it? | ||
Esteban Member Username: Esteban Post Number: 93 Registered: 10-2003 |
This posted to supporters of the Belle Isle Aquarium: Dear aquarium friends, It is the intention of the present Detroit City administration to destroy the Belle Isle Aquarium. (Read the Detroit News article below.) When the administration closed it in 2005, there were few voices and no organization to come to the Aquarium's aid. Over the past three years, the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium have patiently organized and networked to counter threats to the Aquarium. To this end, you have to play your part. Please contact the Detroit City Council and the Mayor's Office and let them know in no uncertain terms that you strongly object to this proposal and demand that the institution be returned to its original function, that the Belle Isle Aquarium be reopened. Article: David Josar / The Detroit News DETROIT -- The Kilpatrick administration is moving ahead with plans to convert the shuttered Belle Isle Zoo and the Belle Isle Aquarium into new attractions that could feature gift shops, a carousel and X Games-like amenities with zip-lines and skateboard parks. Several members of the City Council want both facilities, which were closed in 2005 due to the city's fiscal crisis, to reopen but are starting to realize their dream may not mesh with the financial realities of the city and the desires of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. "We never should have closed," Councilwoman JoAnn Watson said Thursday morning. The aquarium, which had been the oldest operating aquarium when it was shuttered, had 4,000 species of fish that were dispersed to a variety of caretakers. The building was designed by Albert Kahn and had 110,000 visitors the year it closed. City planning director Marcell Todd said the cost, not citing a dollar figure, of reopening the facility have increased substantially because of deterioration of equipment that has occurred since the shutdown. The zoo and aquarium have been turned over to the Recreation Department. Interim Recreation Department Director Lawrence C. Hemingway said the department is looking at several plans for the facilities that include X Games-like activities. "The city doesn't' have anything like that," he said. The city has earmarked $1.5 million for renovations but the expenditure hasn't been forwarded to the council for final approval. The council will revisit the issue in September when the members return from their summer recess. You can reach David Josar at (313) 222-2073 or djosar@detnews.com Original article: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/M ETRO/807240460/1409/METRO | ||
Esteban Member Username: Esteban Post Number: 94 Registered: 10-2003 |
"City planning director Marcell Todd said the cost, not citing a dollar figure, of reopening the facility has increased substantially because of deterioration of equipment that has occurred since the shutdown." Absolute rubbish. The Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium have spent three years figuring the cost and setting up the resources to reopen. This administration just does not want to listen. | ||
Esteban Member Username: Esteban Post Number: 95 Registered: 10-2003 |
Here is the FAQ from the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium: http://belleisleaquarium.com/f aq.htm - Amongst other things, there's a good argument for not building a "Super Aquarium" | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 11964 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Amd where did I say you don't have that near by? Your claim was quote: I pointed out many other reasons. never did I state that you don't have those near by. My apologies if that was hard to follow. Yor claims were inaccurate. I pointed out your inaccuracies. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 628 Registered: 06-2005 |
quote: That's what I've been told by the HCMA. The HCMA was interested in making it a Metropark, but they wanted complete management control of Belle Isle, as they have with their other parks. The City of Detroit did not want to give up that control. |
