DETROIT (WXYZ) — A survey conducted by Mitchell Research & Communications took the temperature of Michiganders and Detroiters on their thoughts toward a proposal to turn Belle Isle into a “special economic zone,” described as a “high-density area within Detroit that is accessible to all Detroiters, Michiganders, and the world.”
Watch Evan Sery's video report:
The survey, commissioned by Belle Isle Freedom City and conducted last year, included more than 600 statewide voters and more than 190 Detroit voters.
The proposed project includes high-income, mixed-use housing, entertainment and a retail district with a population of 50,000. In this project concept, Detroit would reportedly receive a $1 billion payment from sponsors and $50 million each year, and residents would be given unique tax advantages.
“It would be, as far as we know, potentially the largest privately funded project ever in the United States of America,” Belle Isle Freedom City Chairman Rod Lockwood, said. “The economic zone would become a community of up to about 50,000 residents, over 100 restaurants, office retail, so forth and so on.”
According to Mitchell Research & Communications, more than two-thirds of the Detroiters surveyed would support such a project.
View the survey questions below:
But not everyone supports the proposal, including Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters.
“I'm not in favor of his plan at all. I cannot imagine any Detroiter being in favor of that plan," Water said. “Belle Isle is a family island. People go there for family reunions. It would be like some sort of commonwealth. People cannot afford to live on some kind of island like that.”
Many residents we spoke with were opposed to the proposal.
“I don't think we need anymore buildings, any more places where people are entertained,” Trish Hubbel said. "We just need places to come to the community, be with the Earth.”
Resident Andy Ryan said "I'm just not seeing it, I guess.”
Resident Nathan Gardner has mixed views on the idea.
“You lose the public space and once that's gone, it's gone,” Gardner said.
Lockwood says city leaders should take the poll results into consideration.
“The leadership and the local officials need to pay attention to what Detroiters want, and Detroiters are seeking a solution to their state of affairs," he said.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which manages the land, says the proposal is not something the state is considering and is focused on investing in the historic park.
