Update: An updated agenda for the meeting has been published, with the Boat House section now reading, "Resolution 10-2023-02 to Support the Establishment of a Temporary Storage and Operational Facility." A demolition is one of four options, including restoration, a "mothball preservation," and partial rehab. More from the Detroit Free Press.
This Thursday morning, October 19, the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee is planning to discuss possible demolition of the Detroit Boat Club. Preservationists are urging the public to speak up during the meeting.
Historic Detroit posted about this situation on social media channels Tuesday night. The city can't do much to stop it; since the Michigan Department of Natural Resources now runs the island, they have the right to demolish buildings on it.
In meeting notes from September, members discussed that the location could be good for "a proposed watersports park" and it's a good spot for water access.
The Friends of Detroit Rowing have been using the Boat Club for years. With recent investments, they've been able to host more events in the building in recent years. But last year, a portion of the second floor balcony collapsed, closing off part of the building and escalating a need to repair or find other options (and funders) for the building. The cost to rehab the building could be upwards of $50 million.
The building itself has a uniquely Venetian design to it. It dates back to 1902 and sits just to the east of the Belle Isle Bridge. It contains facilities for rowing groups, but also has an exquisite ballroom and stunning interior details (you can see photos taken for Curbed in late 2016). Unfortunately, the word used most to describe the building in recent decades is "crumbling." That can be seen clearly the closer you get to it.
The Belle Isle Park Advisory Council meets Thursday, October 19 at 9 a.m. There is a section for public comment.
