Mich. signs deal to run Detroit's Belle Isle park
10/1/2013DETROIT — Gov. Rick Snyder says the state has signed a 30-year lease to operate Belle Isle, Detroit’s most unique park.
The deal can be extended for 30 more years but also can be terminated at any time. Snyder says he signed the agreement today.
The 985-acre island is in the Detroit River. Detroit has struggled to maintain it because of poor finances.
The governor and Mayor Dave Bing had an earlier plan to lease it to the state and operate it as a state park, but city council members were opposed. Detroit now is run by emergency manager Kevyn Orr, a Snyder appointee.
The council has 10 days to take action. If it rejects the lease, it must come up with an alternative that would save $4 million or more.