Detroit Mayor Dave Bing turns over Belle Isle  to State

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing called a news conference early Wednesday morning to announce a thirty lease of Belle Isle park, to the State of Michigan

The proposed lease agreement must go through City Council for approval. The deal will be presented to the panel later today.

"This is an exciting day," Snyder said. "This is a great opportunity about continuing a partnership…for the benefit of the citizens of Detroit and all Michiganders."

Proposals for a State takeover of the under-maintained 985-acre park have met fierce opposition from some local officials who call it a state power grab.

State government promises park improvements under the new agreement that staved off a state takeover of Detroit, struggling with a chronic budget deficit.

“This city-state collaboration will return Belle Isle to its original beauty through major improvements and regular maintenance overseen by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources,” said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.

The agreement says Belle Isle will operate "as part of a cooperative relationship with Milliken State Park" along the Detroit River.