Bryan and Roach briefed Majority Caucus on school, downtown and funding plans

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach met with members of the 35th Legislature’s Majority Caucus at Government House on St. Thomas, according to a statement published June 15, 2023.

The statement said Bryan briefed lawmakers on second-term initiatives and thanked them for supporting the Cannabis Act and a $100 million line of credit.

Among the items discussed were the proposed St. John land swap, downtown redevelopment efforts, plans to work with the Public Finance Authority on $17 million in dredging projects, and other funding sources available to the Virgin Islands government.

Bryan said the St. John land trade with the National Park Service would provide $212,000 for the St. John Capital Improvement Fund and support construction of a new school. He said he expected the school to be completed in four years.

On downtown initiatives, Bryan said the administration was focusing on derelict and abandoned buildings and was considering funding for owners prepared to develop properties, trusts for properties in legal disputes, acquisition of legal control of some properties, and bundling some sites with government-owned properties.

Bryan also said he planned to reprogram Education Department appropriations and funding for the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation.

The statement said Bryan told lawmakers the territory had $100 million from the Jeffrey Epstein settlement. He said the administration planned to use $25 million for renovations to the Justice Building on St. Croix and $20 million to buy the former Seaview nursing home on St. Thomas for use as a mental health facility.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-lt-governor-roach-meet-with-members-of-35th-legislature-majority-caucus/