It's springtime on Belle Isle. That means months of the usual Detroit Grand Prix construction, traffic jams, concrete barriers, fencing, cables, billboards, construction barrels, grandstands, cranes, torn up grass, tents, bulldozers, and limited access to the island. But this year, the public park is in even worse shape. We visited it on Saturday and found the race expanded its footprint. Several other restoration projects are taking place, and parts of Belle Isle are closed due to flooding. The flooding and projects would be manageable were it not for the gigantic perennial Grand Prix construction mess, but the island was chaotic on a busy Saturday afternoon. Beyond the inconvenience, it's now a dangerous place for pedestrians and cyclists. Set up for the May 30 race starts in early April and won't be cleared until late June. Remediation for the damage it does to the island will take another month or so, while damage to the grass is permanent.
At a time when local-based reporting is critical, support from our readers is essential to our future. If you're able to, please support Metro Times today.
Browse Galleries
35 of the most accurate memes based on viral ‘Zola’ tweetstorm-turned feature film
25 essential Detroit area brunches you should have tried by now
This $550k metro Detroit home designed by the Palace architects has an indoor koi pond
This insane $649k log cabin in Michigan’s U.P. is a wood-lover’s dream — let’s take a tour
30 beautiful restaurant patios to visit in the Detroit area when it gets warm out
Everyone we saw at the grand opening of rapper Tone Tone’s Toney Island restaurant in Detroit