Gov. Rick Snyder’s 2013-14 budget proposal includes $3.7 million annually to operate Belle Isle as a state park – even though the state withdrew its lease deal last week after the Detroit City Council decided not to act on the state’s offer.
According to the budget document released today, any revenue generated from the park would be used to manage and improve the island.
Furthermore, Snyder’s recommendation for a Michigan State Police trooper school includes seven troopers and ongoing funding of $1 million in the general fund for additional staffing to provide law enforcement services to Belle Isle State Park, “assuming concurrence from the city of Detroit.”
The document adds specific mentions of services during planned events:
“In addition to general law enforcement, the MSP will focus safety services at the four major events that Belle Isle annually hosts, including the Detroit Grand Prix, the American Power Boat Association (APBA) Gold Cup Hydroplane Boat Race, the Detroit fireworks and the Red Bull air show.”
Anthony Neely, press secretary for Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, said he hadn’t heard about the $3.7 million in Snyder’s proposed budget. The mayor’s office is expected to respond after exploring it further, Neely said.
After the Detroit City Council voted Jan. 29 not to act on the state lease of Belle Isle, the state withdrew its offer. Three days later, Bing announced that nearly half of Detroit’s parks would close in the spring.
Chris Gautz, Crain’s Detroit Business.
