State preservation grant will help fund repairs to Belle Isle Aquarium roof, group wants to re-open

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Even before its closure in 2005, a group of volunteers has worked hard to reopen Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium. That goal may now be closer with the announcement of a grant to repair the historic building’s roof.

The Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium announced on their Facebook page Thursday that the state of Michigan will provide $45,000 in matching funds to replace the aquarium roof.

“This grant helps to stabilize the building. Stabilizing the building is the first step in reopening,” the group wrote on Facebook.

The non-profit group shared a letter from State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway that confirms a grant to, “hire an architect to prepare written plans and specifications to re-roof the Belle Isle Aquarium Building.” The grant also funds the hiring of a contractor to do the roofing.

The Historic Preservation Fund grant will go to the City of Detroit, its Recreation Department and the Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium.

Architect Albert Kahn designed the aquarium building which was opened in 1904 and sits immediately east of the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on the city’s island park.