Developer Dreams of Turning Detroit Park Into Free Market Utopia

A suburban Detroit developer is promoting an alternative vision for Detroit's Belle Isle: transforming the island park into a commonwealth free market utopia for the elite.

2 minute read

January 14, 2013, 11:00 AM PST

By Nina Ignaczak


Like the city it belongs to, Detroit's 982-acre Belle Isle, designed as an urban park in the 1880's by Frederick Law Olmsted, has seen better days. The island, which sits in the middle of the Detroit River, has suffered from disinvestment along with the rest of the City; its partially stocked aquarium is open one day per week after a five-year closure, and other amenities, like the zoo and canoe livery, have been closed for years.  

Still, Belle Isle looms large in the hearts of Detroiters, and a proposal to turn over management of the island to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has met with resistance from some residents and City Council.

Given reluctance to lease the island to the State of Michigan, it seems highly unlikely a new proposal from Bingham Farms developer Rodney Lockwood- to buy the island from the cash-strapped city for $1 billion dollars to have it secede from Michigan and become a semi-independent commonwealth like Puerto Rico- would gain any traction. According to Lockwood's plan, approximately 35,000 citizenships would be available for $300,000 each. A reduced fee or sponsorship for 20% citizens would be reserved for entrepreneurs, immigrants and artists who cannot meet the financial requirement.

Due to a rapidly deteriorating financial situation, Detroit may soon be placed under the control of an Emergency Financial Manager.  Under the previous Emergency Manager law, which voters rejected in November, an EFM had unilateral power to sell city assets.  It is unclear if a new EFM would have such powers under the replacement law, passed by the Michigan Legislature's lame duck session last month.

Saturday, January 12, 2013 in The Detroit News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing