Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, June 5, 2016. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, June 5, 2016. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Windsor

It's Official! Detroit Grand Prix To Stay On Belle Isle

The Detroit Grand Prix and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have an agreement to keep the popular race on Belle Isle until at least 2021.

The new agreement also includes the option to extend the deal to 2023.

The previous agreement ended with the race this year, and over the past year, Grand Prix officials have listened to public feedback on the future of the race.

"We listened to all the feedback, and we appreciate everyone's perspective and support of the Grand Prix," said Grand Prix President, Michael Montri. "We're now focused on celebrating the 30th Grand Prix in Detroit's history in 2019, and we're excited to be back on Belle Isle."

Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, June 5, 2016. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle) Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, June 5, 2016. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)

A proposal was submitted to the Department last month to stay on the island. A week later, it responded, so the original plan was adjusted.

As a result, the Grand Prix will increase its total contribution for hosting the event from $200,000 annually, to $450,000. That includes an annual event free of $325,000, and another $125,000 for department projects on Belle Isle.

Over the past five years, the Grand Prix has raised more than $4-million for the Belle Isle Conservancy to make improvements on the island through it's Grand Prixmiere fundraising event.

The agreement also commits race officials to reduce its overall build further out, and post-event take down time to just 60 days next year, and 59 days in 2020 and 2021. That's a 35-day reduction from 2015.

Those opposed to continuing the race on the island were concerned about the environmental impact.

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