Following an extensive period of structural evaluation and community engagement, the DNR officially finalized a lease for the Belle Isle boathouse Jan. 23, 2026. This agreement transfers management and rehabilitation responsibilities to Stuart-Pitman, Inc. The official lessee is “Detroit Boathouse on Belle Isle.”
In early 2022, the historic boathouse reached a critical turning point the building was deemed structurally unsound due to significant deterioration, including a collapsed floor, a caved-in roof, peeling exterior stucco, deteriorated steel and concrete structural members and other structural needs. A subsequent 2022 assessment by MacMillan Associates/WTA Architects led the DNR to condemn the building, citing severe structural decay, exterior failure and failing exterior stucco.
Faced with a projected $43 million rehabilitation cost versus a $2 million removal cost, the DNR sought a third path: a public-private partnership. The DNR accepted letters of intent from interested parties who could outline viable proposals for potential rehabilitation.
2019 and 2022 building assessments
The City of Detroit, Friends of Detroit Rowing and the DNR commissioned several building and site assessments throughout the past 16 years. The two most recent were done in 2019 and again in 2022 (after the building was condemned).
December 2023
Visitors, community members, stakeholders and others were invited to share feedback and questions via an online comment form. A summary of public comments and answers to common questions is available.
February 2024
The DNR announced that letters of intent from interested parties who could outline viable proposals for potential rehabilitation would be accepted. After vetting all submissions, three letters of intent were accepted. Those selected applicants were then invited to submit formal proposals.
Fall 2024
Stuart-Pitman Inc.'s proposal was selected for further consideration. A special Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee session was held Nov. 7, 2024. At the session, David Carleton, principal for Stuart-Pitman, presented a summary of the Boathouse proposal selected for further consideration. More than 100 people were in attendance.
January 2026
The DNR finalized a lease for the Belle Isle boathouse Jan. 23, 2026. This agreement transfers management and rehabilitation responsibilities to Stuart-Pitman, Inc. The official lessee is “Detroit Boathouse on Belle Isle.”
Since the DNR assumed management of Belle Isle in 2014, a total of $604,607 has been invested in the boathouse. Of that:
Private fundraising efforts over the past decade have been unsuccessful in raising a sufficient amount of money to rehabilitate and maintain the building.
Since 2014, there has been very little private funding for Belle Isle overall.
Of the total investment in capital outlay (the funds used to acquire, upgrade or repair property and buildings) on the island, the majority comes from public funds (which includes state funds and federal grants):
The DNR has put a strong focus on preserving public historic facilities on the island, investing more than $52 million into a variety of historic structures over the years. Below are some examples of some of these investments:
Investment - $8 million
Investment - $7.6 million
Investment - $27.5 million
