In just a few months, Belle Isle will begin what's expected to be a 30-year stint as Belle Isle State Park. According to initial reports and the Free Press Twitter feed, the Michigan Emergency Loan Board approved the state's proposed 30-year lease of the island park over the Detroit City Council's counter-proposal, which involved a 10-year lease. The deal is expected to save Detroit between $4M-$6M per year. Beginning in 2014, visitors driving to the island will have to buy an $11 recreation passport, which allows entry to any Michigan state park for the entire year. While the state doesn't have to pay any rent on the park, officials have pledged to make $10M-$20M in investment over the next three years. We'll update with more details as they're reported.
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