Politics

State Backs Off Plan To Shut Belle Isle During Corporate Event In September

April 15, 2014, 8:05 PM

Photo/Bill Schwab

State officials have changed their minds about a plan to shut down Belle Isle to the public during a September convention at Cobo Center that will showcase driverless vehicles.

Officials promised Tuesday to provide some public access to the island, Laura Anbel-Razzaq reports in The Detroit News.

“It was never the intent to shut the island off to the public,” said Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman Rob Morosi. “It was all about safety.”

The island, which became the newest state park in February, was going to be shuttered Sept. 7-11 for the Intelligent Transport Systems 21st World Congress, an event that showcases the latest in automotive systems and technologies.

The island would have remained open to Detroit Yacht Club members, while those coming for activities such as fishing, running, biking and picnicking would have been denied access.

Crain's Detroit Business broke the island-access story. On Tuesday, Tom Henderson of Crain's, who uses the island frequently, published a column that noted that closing the island played into the fears of opponents of the state takeover.


Read more:  The Detroit News


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