Bryan joins groundbreaking for first phase of Donoe redevelopment on St. Thomas

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. took part in a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 14, 2021, for the first phase of the Donoe Redevelopment Project, a public-housing initiative tied to the Virgin Islands Housing Authority’s effort to replace housing in Tutu on St. Thomas that was destroyed in the 2017 hurricanes.

According to Government House, Phase 1 of the Tutu/Donoe initiative was planned to include 84 units in 14 buildings on the site of the original Donoe housing community, which was destroyed by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. Members of the 34th Legislature and other stakeholders also attended the ceremony.

The project was being co-developed by the Virgin Islands Housing Authority and Pennrose LLC, with Jackson Development Company serving as development consultant.

Government House said the redevelopment was budgeted at $57.7 million. Hunt Capital Partners was providing $26.95 million in federal low-income housing tax credit equity, with additional financing from Banco Popular, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program funds and Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds.

All 84 units were to be subsidized through HUD project-based vouchers, and the Housing Authority was to enter into a Housing Assistance Payment agreement intended to keep the units affordable for 20 years, with an option to renew.

According to the Housing Authority, the development was designed to meet National Green Building Standards and include hurricane-resilient construction, Energy Star appliances and lighting, low-usage water fixtures, high-efficiency bedroom air-conditioning units, and an onsite micro-grid with solar photovoltaic and battery backup systems.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-helps-kick-off-donoe-redevelopment-project/