Bryan announced proposed bill on abandoned properties and outlined other issues at July 5 briefing

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said at a Government House press briefing on July 5, 2023, that his administration was finalizing legislation aimed at rehabilitating abandoned and derelict properties across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

According to the administration, the proposal would allow the courts to appoint a conservator or receiver to invest in and manage a property’s rehabilitation or development without changing ownership. The receiver would be permitted to manage the property for a period long enough to recover a reasonable return on investment before returning the developed property to its original owner or owners.

Bryan said the administration planned additional public outreach, including town hall meetings, as the measure was developed.

At the start of the briefing, Bryan also extended condolences to the family of V.I. Police Detective Delberth Phipps Jr., who died in the line of duty on St. Thomas on July 4, 2023.

Bryan also asked the public to provide information to authorities about the theft of about 100 solar panels from the St. Croix Educational Complex over the weekend before the July 5 briefing.

During the briefing, Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol announced town hall meetings on the U.S. Virgin Islands Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on July 18 at Charlotte Amalie High School on St. Thomas, July 19 at Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John, and July 20 at the University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall on St. Croix.

Oriol also urged boaters to use caution in territorial waters because endangered sea turtles were increasingly being struck by vessels, especially off the east end of St. Croix.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/__trashed-2__trashed/