Government House releases discussion draft on abandoned and derelict properties

Government House said on Oct. 23, 2023, that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. had released the first official discussion draft of the Virgin Islands Abandoned and Derelict Real Property Conservatorship Act.

According to the administration, the draft incorporated comments raised during two public town hall meetings held in August.

Government House said the proposed legislation would add a new chapter to the Virgin Islands Code defining "abandoned property" for real property and providing for third-party conservatorships to rehabilitate abandoned and derelict real property without a change in ownership.

The administration also opened a 30-day public comment period beginning Oct. 23, 2023. Comments could be submitted by email, by letter or in person to the Office of the Island Administrator on St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix, according to the notice.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-continues-public-outreach-on-plan-to-address-abandoned-and-derelict-buildings/