Development
USVI Advances in Building Safety and Sustainability with Comprehensive Bill
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The U.S. Virgin Islands is poised for a significant advancement in construction standards, emphasizing resilience and safety, with the recent progress of an important legislative proposal.
Introduced by Senator Donna Frett-Gregory, Bill 35-0172 has successfully cleared the Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning. This bill, a pivotal update since 2010, aims to revise Title 29, Chapter 5 of the Virgin Islands Code by integrating key aspects from the 2018 edition of the International Building Code.
Responding to the urgent need for enhanced disaster resilience, a core focus of the bill is on measures that mitigate the impact of natural calamities, a response informed by the destructive hurricanes of 2017. Key provisions include mandating hurricane shelters in specific buildings with rigorous design standards. The bill also addresses roof garden construction, advocating for reduced use of stone and loose materials, and introduces enhanced flood resistance measures in flood-prone areas. Additionally, it sets more stringent construction standards for one- and two-family homes.
An important aspect of the bill is its commitment to environmental sustainability and resilience. It stipulates that roof-mounted solar panels must be hail-resistant and requires gutters to endure wind pressure, aligning with national standards. The bill also safeguards construction materials from weather damage, especially for projects extending over six months.
The legislation extends its scope to include water supply and fire safety enhancements. It demands that cisterns used in fire sprinkler systems adhere to rigorous standards and requires that fire hydrants and water lines in public housing projects comply with fire code requirements and consensus standards. Furthermore, it brings jalousie style windows, a staple in Virgin Island architecture, under specific building code regulations.
Financial aspects are also addressed, with the bill empowering the Department of Planning and Natural Resources commissioner to set and maintain fees, replacing outdated fee schedules. This, along with defining “rural area” and “urban area,” aims for a more equitable application of provisions across the territory.
The bill’s comprehensive approach has garnered acclaim from industry leaders. Julio King, chair of the Virgin Islands Board of General Construction Contractors, lauded it as a vital stride towards industry best practices. Jean Pierre Oriol, Commissioner of DPNR, underscored its significance in fostering resilient communities.
Although there are concerns regarding DPNR’s enforcement capabilities, Commissioner Oriol highlighted the department’s proactive approach, with 16 inspectors working diligently across the territory. He emphasized the responsibility of builders to seek necessary inspections and encouraged community vigilance in ensuring compliance with DPNR’s regulations.
Senator Frett-Gregory echoed the need for community involvement, urging residents to actively monitor construction projects for official DPNR permits.
Having received unanimous support in the Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning, Bill 35-0172 now advances to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, marking a significant step in the USVI’s journey towards safer and more sustainable building practices.
Development
Bill to Fund Pre-Construction of Charlotte Amalie Dredging Advances
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Bill No. 35-0262, which aims to allocate $1.4 million for pre-construction costs in preparation for the dredging of the Charlotte Amalie Harbor, successfully advanced on Thursday in the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance. This progress follows an earlier delay caused by miscommunication that led to its removal from the agenda of its initially scheduled hearing.
The governor’s financial team, who did not attend the original meeting, later informed committee chair Senator Donna Frett-Gregory that they mistakenly believed the bill would not be presented. This confusion arose because another agenda item requiring their presence had also been removed. Although officials from the Port Authority were present, Senator Frett-Gregory stated she was “not inclined to proceed…absent of the representatives of the government that have to speak to whether the $1,434,950 is in fact available to be expended from the Community Facilities Trust Fund.”
At the time, the delay frustrated Carlton Dowe, executive director of the V.I. Port Authority. However, the VIPA team can now be relieved as the measure moved forward to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary following assurances from V.I. Public Finance Authority Director Nathan Simmonds.
“We support the appropriation of the $1.4 million for the soft costs,” Mr. Simmonds confirmed. Although only $1.1 million is currently available for appropriation in the fund, the PFA director explained that the fund’s cash balance exceeds $15 million. “We believe that there are substantial appropriations that will not be expended in the remainder of this fiscal year.” Additionally, the PFA expects an additional $3.4 million from the rum tax cover to be contributed to the fund. “Clearly, we can fund this appropriation,” he assured.
The $1.4 million allocation is intended to cover permits and other preliminary actions necessary for the commencement of the dredging work in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Authorities have emphasized that dredging the harbor is crucial to maintaining its capacity and accommodating larger classes of cruise ships. The project is seen as vital for ensuring a competitive edge over other regional tourism destinations.
Development
New Grant Sparks Hope for Homeownership in Williams Delight After Decades of Waiting
![](https://usvinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Williams-Delight-Townhall-Meeting.jpg)
Senator Marise James announced a new homeownership grant program during a community meeting at the Williams Delight Center on Thursday, May 30, 2024, offering residents a $15,000 grant towards purchasing a home in the community.
This initiative stems from a town hall meeting last year where residents voiced their long-standing challenges in achieving homeownership. After attending another meeting organized by Williams Delight Residents Council President Mariesha Maynard, Senator James proposed the grant program to Governor Albert Bryan Jr. Funded primarily by the American Rescue Plan Act, the program was developed in collaboration with the St. Croix Foundation and the V.I. Housing Authority (VIHA).
While the grant provides substantial financial aid, applicants must still meet VIHA requirements, including completing a home buyers’ education course. To enhance accessibility, an in-person option of the virtual course is being developed.
Senator James emphasized the importance of homeownership for community transformation, stating, “It’s important that all of us get a piece of that dirt, that rock, a little piece of that island. It’s a beautiful island but we all need to have a little piece of it.” The grant aims to help residents build generational wealth and close the economic gap in the territory. With a two-bedroom unit costing only $22,000, the grant reduces the required personal funds to just $7,000 for prospective homeowners.
Reactions among residents varied. While some welcomed the grant, others were skeptical. A local homeowner expressed concerns about the community being used for political gain and suggested a payment plan for existing homeowners struggling with mortgage payments. In response, Senator James acknowledged the challenge of high mortgage payments as “the reality of capitalism” and referred the payment plan suggestion to VIHA for consideration.
Ms. Maynard highlighted issues with sub-standard repairs on some homes, noting that financially constrained residents often had to hire the cheapest contractors. Senator James assured that the grant process would include selecting reliable contractors and ensuring quality inspections to guarantee residents receive full value for the $15,000 grant.
Ms. Maynard closed the meeting by encouraging financial awareness among residents while celebrating the new grant as a significant milestone in their long journey to homeownership. “Williams Delight is my second home—I’ve been running around here from how long with my aunt—but at the end of the day I didn’t do it for me, I do this for ayo,” she said.
Development
Demolition of Charles Harwood Memorial Complex Main Campus Begins
![](https://usvinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/demolition-charles-harwood.jpg)
The V.I. Department of Health has initiated the demolition of the Charles Harwood Memorial Complex’s main campus to pave the way for a new, state-of-the-art public health facility on St. Croix.
“We appreciate the community’s trust as we undertake the construction of this crucial infrastructure for the Virgin Islands,” stated Reuben Molloy, assistant commissioner at the Department of Health, from the demolition site. “Our goal is to reduce health risks, enhance access to quality health care services, and enforce health standards.”
Lemartec USVI, the company contracted for the demolition, began dismantling the eastern-most section of the complex on Thursday.
“It’s an exciting day here at the Charles Harwood Memorial Complex,” said Casey McIntyre, senior project manager for Lemartec USVI. “We’ve completed the initial project phases and are now proceeding with the main building’s demolition, starting with the eastern wing. We’ve cleared the building of all contents in preparation for the demolition.”
The demolition will not involve blasting, and several mitigation measures have been put in place, including privacy and dust screens, a water dust suppression machine, and wind direction monitoring. Lemartec USVI has also developed a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, utilizing best management practices such as silt fencing, storm drain sediment covers, and track-out prevention, and will monitor weather conditions closely.
“We are diligently ensuring a safe site as we proceed with the demolition,” McIntyre added.
The Department of Health has taken steps to minimize disruptions to school activities, business operations, and traffic in the area. In August, Lemartec USVI completed the demolition of the Annex Building, formerly the island’s hospital. In May, the Old Club House and two other buildings at the northeast corner of the campus were also demolished.
The demolition of the complex’s main campus, the final phase, is expected to be completed by October 2024.
Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion emphasized the department’s commitment to rebuilding the territory’s public health infrastructure. “This progress is due to a dedicated project management team working closely with key agencies and our vendors to keep our disaster recovery projects on track,” Encarnacion said. “We are grateful to the St. Croix community, especially the neighboring Richmond residents, the Juanita Gardine School family, and nearby businesses for their patience and understanding throughout this process.”
“This is part of Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s ‘Rebuild USVI’ plan to expedite the disaster recovery effort,” she added.
Representatives from the VI Office of Disaster Recovery, VI Department of Public Works, VITEMA, Witt O’Brien, The Strategy Group, and FLAD Architect joined the Department of Health on Thursday.
The Charles Harwood Memorial Complex, severely damaged in the 2017 hurricanes, was one of the first projects deemed replaceable by FEMA. The agency awarded the territory $291 million for the complex’s reconstruction, which will adhere to current national construction codes and standards. The Department of Health spent several months securing local approvals, including a historic preservation review.
Upon reconstruction, the facility will be renamed in honor of St. Croix physician and former VI Delegate to Congress, Dr. Donna Christian Christensen.
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