>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS STAFF, OR ITS OTHER.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

I AM ADRIENNE WILLIAMS-OCTALIE.

OUR TOWNS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES.

FROM HOUSING RENOVATION AND REPLACEMENTS, THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF PRODUCTS THAT ARE PROGRESS FOR THESE DERELICT AND ABANDONED BUILDINGS.

FOR THIS EPISODE, WE WILL DISCUSS BOTH LOCALLY AND FEDERALLY FUNDED EFFORTS TO REVITALIZE OUR TOWN.

BUT, FIRST, HERE IS THE NEWS ON RECOVERY PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

>> Reporter: I AM TERESA ELLIS.

A $163 MILLION SCHOOL PROJECT.

OUR TEAM WAS ON THE SCENE TO WITNESS IT ALL.

THE PROJECT MANAGER SHARED THE DETAILS OF THIS IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.

WHAT IS NEXT, A THREE-PHASE PLAN FOR COMPLETION OF THE PRE- K TO 8 SCHOOL IN ST. CROIX.

>> BEHIND ME, WE ARE POURING SLABS FOR UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS WHICH HAS A CAPACITY OF 250,000 GALLONS OF WATER.

IN OUR PLUMBING MODEL, WE CONSTRUCT ON THE WEST AND NORTHWEST OF THE SIDE.

AFTER THAT, WE ARE GOING TO CONSTRUCT THE UTILITY BUILDING FOUNDATION WHICH WILL BE LOCATED ON THIS CORNER OF THE LOCATION.

AFTER THE PRE-K TO 8 SCHOOL, WE WILL BUILD AND EIGHTH BUILDING AND PHASES.

PHASE ONE INCLUDES UTILITY BUILDINGS, GYM BUILDING, AND SHELTER.

A COMMONS BUILDING.

AND PRE-K.

PHASE TWO WILL CONSIST OF KINDERGARTEN AND ALSO ADMIN.

AND PHASE THREE WILL CONSIST OF 6-8, MIDDLE SCHOOL, LANDSCAPE, AND MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING AREA.

>> SO EMERGENCY SERVICES LAPTOP CONSTRUCTION IN SEPTEMBER IN ST. THOMAS.

AS PROMISED EARLIER THIS YEAR, CONTRACTOR CARIBBEAN CONTRACTING SERVICES COMPLETED THIS $387,000 PROJECT.

RECENTLY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, HAZARD MITIGATION, AND THE CONTRACTOR COMPLETED THE PROJECT´S FINAL INSPECTION TO MAKE SURE ALL ITEMS WERE EXECUTED AS OUTLINED.

THESE FACILITIES TERRITORY-WIDE ARE ON THE HORIZON.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES RECENTLY STARTED DEMOLITION ON FOUR OF FIVE SITES IN AUGUST.

DEMOLITION IS ALREADY COMPLETE ON THE CONCORDIA SITE ON SAINT CROIX AND CRUZ BAY ON ST. JOHN.

AT THEM SITE ON ST. THOMAS, THEY ARE NEARING COMPLETION.

THE FINAL LOCATION ON SAINT CROIX IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SOON.

ASSISTING COMMISSIONER CARLOS BENJAMIN AND COMMISSIONER KIMBERLY GOMEZ SHARE THEIR VISION FOR EARLY MODERN CHILDHOOD FACILITIES AND THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS.

FEATURE MODERN CLASSROOMS, LODGING FACILITIES, KITCHEN, DEVELOPMENTALLY FOCUSED PLAYGROUND, WITH HEADSTART STANDARDS AREAS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SINCERELY THINKS OUR PARTNERS WITH THE OFFICES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND FOR APPROVING THE $42 MILLION FOR US TO IMPROVE OUR STRUCTURES.

OUR LOCAL PARTNER AGENCIES, DPP, DP&R, AND THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR, WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.

AND THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES, WE THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

BUT, MOST OF ALL, THE FAMILIES WHO TRUST US WITH THEIR CHILDREN TO MAXIMIZE OUR LEARNING POTENTIAL IN THE HEADSTART PROGRAM.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ESTIMATE THAT PROJECTS WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 2024.

RESIDENTS OF CRUZ BAY ARE ALSO WITNESSING CONSTRUCTION OF PARKS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE HEADED OVER TO ST. JOHN´S TO GET THE SCOOP.

>> I AM THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS AND RECREATION.

HERE WE ARE TODAY IN ST. JOHN´S AT THE FACILITIES.

THIS FACILITY, ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $2500, IS BEING DONE BY CARIBBEAN CONTRACTING SERVICES AND IT IS ESTIMATED TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF OCTOBER.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS PROJECT.

WE DID BRAND-NEW FENCING AROUND THE ENTIRE FACILITY.

WE GAVE IT A BRAND-NEW LOOK.

BUT YOU CANNOT WATCH TENNIS UNLESS YOU HAVE SUMMER TO SIT.

SO JUST STARTING TODAY, THE CONTRACTOR STARTED DOING THE NEW BLEACHERS.

RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD, YOU ALSO HAVE THE BASKETBALL COURTS .

THAT IS ALSO GETTING BRAND-NEW FENCING AROUND THE FACILITY AND DO BLEACHERS.

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THESE FACILITIES TO BE FINISHED SO WE CAN TURN THEM BACK OVER TO THE PEOPLE OF ST. JOHN´S.

>> THEY ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON PARKS IN ST. CROIX.

A MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO RENOVATE THE BALLPARK IS UNDERWAY.

REPAIRS TO THE STADIUM, RECREATION BUILDING, BASEBALL FIELD, PLUS BOX, DUGOUTS, PLAYGROUND AND TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURT ARE ALL EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF 2023.

TEMPORARY AND TERMINATE BRIDGE REPAIR PROJECTS ARE MOVING FORWARD.

AND THE HIGHWAY ON ST. CROIX MAY HAVE ALREADY HIT THE DETOUR JUST WEST OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.

THE $2.2 MILLION PROJECT IS JUST ONE OF FOUR BRIDGE REPAIR PROJECTS SPEARHEADED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

WE TALKED TO CONSTRUCTION MANAGER JOHN PAUL DAVID ON THE JOB FOR THE SPECIFIC´S.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE GOING TO DO.

IT IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION.

WE HAVE A STEEL BRIDGE THAT IS VERY MUCH OVER THERE.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS GOOD TO BE CAPABLE WITH THE LARGE STRUCTURES.

IT IS COMMONLY SEEN ON THE ISLAND.

IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE HAVE THE SALTS ON THE ROAD.

ROUTE 64.

THAT BRIDGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THAT BRIDGE IN CONSTRUCTION WITH THE BRIDGE ON MIDLAND ROAD ADJACENT TO THE FARMS AND THE BRIDGE WERE CONSTRUCTION IS CURRENTLY ONGOING IN A LAGOON AREA IN THE GALLOWS BAY AREA, THOSE BRIDGES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BY VIP.

>> BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND CONSULTANTS.

INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS?

YOU SHOULD CHECK THE OPENED ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY IS SEEKING DISASTER LOSS SERVICES FOR RECOVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TERRITORY WIDE.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE HOSPITAL, AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ARE ALL SEEKING LICENSED CONTRACTORS FOR A RANGE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN BOTH THE ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS DISTRICTS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS, AS WELL AS UP-TO- DATE NEWS AND ALL DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOG ONTO WWW.ODI.USDISASTERRECOVERY.COM.

>> WE HAVE A LOT IN STORE SO LET US GET STARTED.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR GUESTS JOINING ME ON THE SHOW TODAY.

COMMISSIONER JOHN PIERRE OREO OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND SEAN KRAEGER, THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE PRESERVATION OFFICE.

WELCOME, GENTLEMEN.

IT IS MY PLEASURE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY YOUR SECOND SHOW.

THAT JUST MEANS YOU HAVE GREAT THINGS GOING ON OVER THERE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES BUT WE HAVE A LOT TO UNPACK, STARTING WITH THE REVITALIZATION EFFORTS IN THE CAPITAL OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES.

CHARLOTTE EMILY, OUR CAMERA CREW WENT INTO TOWN TO ASK THE PUBLIC WHICH BUILDING THEY THINK SHOULD BE RESTORED.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> BETTER ON THAT STREET.

DOING THEM ALL AT ONCE.

SOME AREAS ARE IN BETWEEN.

I DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT.

I DO NOT EVEN KNOW.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS.

MUST BE REFURBISHED.

BUT I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY.

FOR EXAMPLE, CAN FIX THAT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER BUILDING WHERE THEY HAD IT ALL.

AND THAT CAN BE FIXED.

>> THE FIRST THING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS THE LIBRARY DOWNTOWN TO GET, YOU KNOW, REPAIRED AND TO MAKE IT INTO A MUSEUM.

ON THE SECOND QUESTION, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE HOTEL.

IT IS A SHAME TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THAT BUILDING.

YOU KNOW?

AND THERE IS NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

INTERESTING TO HEAR.

ONE OF THE COMMENTERS WENT STRAIGHT UP THE STREET TO DP&R.

AND THE LIBRARY.

WE WILL GET INTO THE NITTY- GRITTY OF ALL OF THAT.

BUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES, YOU ARE A REGULATOR.

WHAT ELSE?

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT IS UNDER YOUR PURVIEW.

THINGS THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

>> SURE.

I THINK THE PUBLIC KNOWS US PRIMARILY AS BEING REGULATORS AND REGULATORY, BUT WE ARE ALSO THE CUSTODIANS AND KEEPERS.

LIBRARIES ARE PART OF THAT CULTURE.

WE ARE THE CUSTODIANS OF THE LIBRARIES.

LIBRARIES WERE DAMAGED IN THE STORM.

IT WAS SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT.

>> SO I --SO WE HAVE COMPLETED THE BID PROCESS.

WE HAVE SELECTED A VENDOR TO DO THE REPAIR WORK.

SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE CONTRACTING PHASE OF THIS PROJECT.

AND WE ANTICIPATE BY THE END OF OCTOBER, EARLY NOVEMBER, THAT WE WILL BE FINISHED WITH THE CONTRACTING PHASE, AND WE HOPE TO SEE THE START OF THE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION EITHER IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU ALSO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A CHILD´S AS WELL?

>> IT IS A VERY BIG FACILITY.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN THE GOVERNMENT.

BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH FOUR-STAR CONSTRUCTION.

INTERIOR DEMOLITION AS WELL AS THE COMPLETE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON WITH LIBRARIES ACROSS TO THE TERRITORIES.

BUT SPECIFICALLY WITH ST. THOMAS.

THE CHILD´S TERMINALS ARE ALREADY IN CONSTRUCTION.

AND WE ARE LOOKING TO START THEIR ONCE THE CONTRACT IS EXECUTED.

WELL, KUDOS TO YOU.

AND YOU MENTIONED GOOD STREET.

BUT I ACTUALLY KNOW GOOD STREET IS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON ON GOOD STREET.

THERE WERE COMMENTS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS AND YOUR THOUGHTS FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES?

>> SO IT IS CONTINUING INTO WHAT IS ALSO KNOWN AS CLASS THE RESIDENT MENTIONED A LOT OF THINGS.

MOST LIKELY VIOLATIONS.

YOU KNOW?

CHANGES BEING MADE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REVIEWED BY THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE.

THEY WILL BE DEFINITELY LOOKING INTO THAT.

YOU MENTIONED THE RECOVERY EFFORTS.

WE ARE RUNNING THROUGH DP&R IN TERMS OF RECOVERY PROJECTS AND WE ARE GOING TO BE TOUCHING SITES.

>> EXCELLENT.

EXCELLENT.

AND I THINK THE OTHER COMMENTERS SPOKE ABOUT THE EYESORE.

I REMEMBER MY DAYS AT THE HOUSING FACILITY.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REPAIR IT.

YOU KNOW?

LOOKING FOR DOLLARS.

BUT RECENTLY ADMINISTRATOR HENRY LEWIS LED A CHARGE TO CLEAN UP THE AREA.

AMONG ALL THE COMMENTS, YOU KNOW, OF THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY, THERE ARE SOME REAL CHALLENGES WITH GETTING THAT DOWN.

I KNOW YOUR OFFICE AT ONE POINT HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT IT.

>> YEAH.

SO, TO START, ADMINISTRATOR LEWIS HAS RUN A RECENT CLEANUP ON THE FACILITY.

AGAIN, IT IS RATHER UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE CLEAN IT UP BUT IT GETS BACK INTO A STATE OF DISREPAIR.

BUT AN ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON STRUCTURE, AND IT TURNS OUT THAT IT IS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND VIABLE.

SO THE FIRST THING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO --WELL, THE VERY FIRST THING WE WILL HAVE TO DO IS DAMAGE FOR REMEDIATION´S AND THEN DEMOLITION AND REMOVE THE STRUCTURE.

THEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE.

THE SITE ITSELF IS ABOUT 2.5 ACRES.

SO IT IS AVAILABLE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

>> RIGHT.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS ACTUALLY BEEN LOOKING TO IDENTIFY AND SEE IF THEY COULD SOME OF THESE RESOURCES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

SO HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO REVITALIZE THAT COMMUNITY AND THAT THE RESIDENCE IN THE AREA, WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY ARE TRACKING SEVEN PROJECTS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE ASPECTS OF THOSE PROJECTS AND WHERE WE ARE WITH THEM.

>> IT IS FUNNY.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE COMPANY.

IT IS A PROPHET.

IT NEEDS A NUMBER OF APPROVALS.

LIKE NATIONAL SERVICES.

SAID THESE WERE DAMAGED IN THE 2017 HURRICANE.

AND THE DAMAGES RANGE FROM WHAT YOU CAN IMAGINE, WINDOWS, ROOFS, DOORS.

>> AND I AM SURE THAT YOU ARE HISTORIC ASPECTS AND THE DESIGNS OF THOSE HOMES AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS KEY NUMBER ONE.

MAKING SURE THAT THE HISTORIC PROPERTIES ARE MAINTAINED.

>> YES.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY AS TO THE COST OF REPAIRING HOMES FOR THESE HISTORIC STANDARDS, WHICH IS REALLY PREVENTING A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS AND PROPERTY HOMEOWNERS TO DO THE WORK.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

SO THE MATERIALS BEING USED -- IT IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.

LINES.

CEMENT.

WOOD.

THE KEY IS THE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND HOW THOSE MATERIALS ARE UTILIZED IN RESTORING THE PROPERTY, AND THAT IS SOMETIMES THE BIGGER CHALLENGE.

GETTING THE SKILLS.

THE CONTRACTORS.

THE CRAFTSMAN.

WORKING WITHOUT CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE THE TECHNICAL GUIDANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE MISCONCEPTIONS OF, PERHAPS, THAT IT IS REALLY THAT EXHAUSTIVE IN THAT SENSE --TRY TO KEEP THAT AT BAY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> I KNOW SO MUCH GOES INTO THE DANISH-STYLE HOMES.

IT IS EXPENSIVE, BUT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT WAYS TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS, AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES AS WE REPAIR OUR TOWN.

AND TALKING ABOUT OUR TOWN, MILLIONS OF FEDERAL RECOVERY DOLLARS ARE AT STORE.

THE BUILDINGS.

FOLKS ARE SAYING, YAY.

YOU KNOW?

MAKING SURE THAT WE AS A GOVERNMENT DO OUR PART.

THE BALLPARK.

OF COURSE, EVERYONE IS WAITING.

A LOT OF INTRAMURAL GAMES THAT USUALLY HAPPEN THERE.

BALLPARK.

THERE IS A LOT THAT IS GOING ON THERE.

ALL OF THE FENCING.

WORKING ON THE LIGHTING.

AND ANTICIPATING THAT THAT PROJECT WILL COME BACK ONLINE SHORTLY.

IT IS ALL ABOUT RESILIENCY AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE THAT BACK ON TRACK.

SO OTHER PROJECTS, LIKE THE FIRE STATION.

WE KNOW FIRE STATION.

EXACTLY WHERE IS OMAR BROWN?

>> SOME MAY KNOW THE HOTEL COMPANY.

IT IS LOCATED AT PORT CHRISTIAN.

>> OH.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN NEIGHBORS FOR MANY YEARS.

>> GOOD.

SO WORK HAS BEEN DONE ON THAT AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN EXECUTED WITH THE EVENTS AND CONSTRUCTION.

SO WORK IS ABOUT TO BE STARTED.

AND THERE IS STILL A LOT ON YOU GENTLEMEN.

YOU STILL HAVE TO DO SOME THINGS THERE.

WHAT ARE YOUR ROLES NOW?

WHAT I SAY THE HOSPITAL HAS EXECUTED THIS CONTRACT.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

AND THIS IS A TEST.

>> WELL, THE CONTRACT BEING EXECUTED NOW, YOU GET THE NOTICE TO PROCEED.

AND THEN WE ACTUALLY START TO SEE THE SHOVELS IN THE GROUND AND THE ACTIVITY.

SO WHERE DP&R ROLLS IS NOW TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTRACTORS ARE ACTUALLY BUILDING TO CODE.

AND WE HAVE THAT REQUIREMENT OF MAINTAINING THAT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

MAKING SURE THAT THE CONTRACTORS ARE REQUESTING THEIR INSPECTIONS.

ELECTRICAL.

PLUMBING.

MECHANICAL.

YOU KNOW?

DUE TO THE VOLUME BEING EXECUTED SOME CONTRACTS WITH THIRD-PARTY INSPECTORS.

THAT WAY, WE DO NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF ALL OF THAT OURSELVES, BUT RATHER CAN MANAGE THE LOAD EFFECTIVELY.

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.

FIRST THING, YOU HAVE TO GET THE PERMITS TO GET THE WORK DONE.

AND YOU DID DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE.

AS I CONTINUE MY TRACK, THERE IS STILL THE HEADSTART.

THERE IS ALL THE WORK THAT IS GOING TO GO ON THEIR.

THE FACILITY, AS WELL, IS ALSO ON THE RADAR FOR WORK TO BE DONE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE ARE REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF THE APARTMENTS THAT THE FINANCING AUTHORITY TORE DOWN GETTING READY TO REBUILD.

AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE ALL THE WORK THAT IS GOING ON IN THE TOWN.

THIS IS A TOWN AREA, AND WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT SO SOME DISCREPANCY.

WHERE DOES THE TOWN BEGIN AND END?

>> ON THE EASTERN SIDE, IT IS CENTERLINE ROAD NEAR LOCKERS GARDEN.

AND IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE WEST.

BY THE PACKING CENTER.

THEN NORTH-WISE, IT WOULD BE LIKE INTO THE HILLS, AND THEN YOU HAVE GOT THE WATER LINE.

THAT IS YOUR OFFICIAL CITY LIMITS.

THE METROPOLITAN AREA STRETCHES ALL THE WAY OUT INTO THE BAY.

>> OKAY.

SO IF YOU ARE FROM TOWN, WHERE DO YOU LIVE IF YOU CANNOT SAY YOU ARE FROM TOWN ANYMORE?

>> THE CITY LIMITS.

NORTH ON THE MAP.

THE SCHOOLYARD.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU KNOW?

FREDERICK SAID, USUALLY STOP SOMEWHERE.

LIKE, AS FREDERICK SAID, EVERYTHING ELSE IS THAT WAY ON THE WEST SIDE.

YOU HAVE TO GO A LITTLE FURTHER.

WHAT ABOUT THE SCHOOLYARD?

>> I WOULD SAY, IF YOU´RE IN THE HILLS, YOU ARE GETTING OUT.

>> THE COUNTRY.

ALL RIGHT.

>> WHERE ARE YOU FROM, JP?

>> I LIVE IN SOUTH.

SOUTH OF TOWN.

>> SO CRUZ BAY HAS ALSO SEEN A BIG KICK IN CONSTRUCTION AS WELL.

AND IT IS A CONTINUATION OF UNDERGROUND WORK AND THE COMPLETION OF SEVERAL PROJECTS.

THAT LIBRARY WAS OPENED.

THAT WAS YOUR FIRST LIBRARY COMMISSION.

>> VERY PLEASED.

BACK IN JUNE, WE HELD A RIBBON- CUTTING.

WE DID A LOT OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS A LOT MORE OF THE ACCURACIES AS IT RELATED TO A LIBRARY THAT WAS GOING TO COME ONLINE.

IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET THOSE SYSTEMS BACK UP AND RUNNING.

BEING THE LIBRARY, IT HAS NOT REALLY BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE 2018.

BUT WE HAVE SOME DEDICATED STAFF OVER THERE.

I AM VERY PLEASED TO SAY THEY ARE ALSO NATIVE.

THEY WORK ON ST. JOHN.

THEY LIVE ON ST. JOHN.

IT IS NOT A MATTER OF TRANSPORTATION EVERY DAY.

AND WE OPENED OFFICIALLY LAST WEDNESDAY.

AND THE HOURS FOR THE LIBRARY ARE TUESDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. AND ON SATURDAYS WE WILL BE OPEN FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE GET THOSE LATER HOURS AS WELL AS SATURDAYS.

>> YOU HARD WHEN WE WENT ON THE STREET.

YOU KNOW, LIBRARIES ARE IMPORTANT.

ALL OF YOU WHO SAY LIBRARIES ARE NO LONGER NEEDED, WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO PROVE DIFFERENTLY.

BUT WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT OTHER PROJECTS IN ST. JOHN´S, FISH BAY, THE WATERSHED.

AND NORTH PROJECTS AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER GABRIEL AND HIS TEAM ARE WORKING ON, AND THE CLINIC, AS WELL.

THE DESIGN WORK IS CONTINUING THERE.

IN THE BAY AREA.

>> IT IS A FACILITY AREA CURRENTLY IN DESIGN.

THE WORK IS READY TO GET STARTED.

THEN WE GO OFF THE BRIDGE AND GET PERMITS.

AND THEN THE WORK GETS STARTED.

>> CAN I COME IN?

>> OF COURSE.

>> THE OUTFIT IS CURRENTLY CONTRACTED AND IN CONSTRUCTION, SO WE ARE HOPING THAT IF ALL GOES WELL, SURPRISE, WE WILL BE OPENING THE DP&R ST. JOHN OUTFIT IN JANUARY 2024.

>> AND YOU HAVE HEARD IT HERE.

FIRST, JANUARY 2024.

FOR THE RESIDENCE OF SAINTS JOHN, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET ON A BOAT TO ST. THOMAS.

THEY WILL HAVE A PRESENCE SO THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE IS A LOT OF PROJECTS AND A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON IN ST. JOHN´S.

SO DESPITE THE MANY RECOVERY PROJECTS, THERE IS STILL A GAP.

WHEN YOU DRIVE TO OUR TOWN, THERE IS SO MUCH DISREPAIR.

WE RECENTLY HELD A TOWN HALL MEETING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

WE SPOKE TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR DETAILS ON THE INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF DERELICT AND ABANDONED BUILDINGS IN OUR TOWN.

LET US TAKE A LISTEN.

>> AS WE GO THROUGH THE HURRICANE RECOVERY PROCESS, WE HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY DERELICT AND ABANDONED STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT OUR TERRITORY, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE RENTALS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE TONS OF FUNDS FOR HOUSING, BUT NO INVENTORY TO PROVIDE THE PEOPLE.

WE HAVE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BUT NONE OF THAT DOES ANY GOOD IF THERE ARE ACTUALLY NO HOMES AVAILABLE.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE DERELICT AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES NOT JUST CAUSED BY THE RECENT STORMS OF 2017, BUT YOU COULD GO BACK AS FAR AS HURRICANE HUGO OF 1989.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC DISASTERS WE HAD.

THE GREAT RECESSION.

MOST RECENTLY, THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A MIGRATION OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS WHO ARE LEAVING BEHIND A PROPERTY.

GOVERNOR BRIAN IS HOPING TO PARTNER WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AND REVERSE THE PLIGHT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES.

ORGANIZATIONS WILL STEP FORWARD AND ASSIST IN REHABBING THESE PROPERTIES BY PUTTING IN PLACE THE MECHANISMS TO MAKE THESE PROPERTIES VIABLE AGAIN FOR HOME OWNERSHIP OR EVEN COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE VERY LOFTY GOALS, BUT I ACTUALLY THINK IT CAN BE DONE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR TOWN IS REPRESENTATIVE OF HOW THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CULTURE AND PEOPLE --THAT IS A CHALLENGE THAT YOU DO HAVE HERE AT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION´S OFFICE.

AND REALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE INITIATIVE AND THE STEPS BEEN COMPOSED BY GOVERNOR BRYAN?

>> SO I THINK THAT THIS IS A VIABLE SOLUTION FOR THE TERRITORY.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS BEING A LANDGRAB.

RESULT OF THIS.

I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THEY DO HAVE THEIR FARES, BUT I THINK TO UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES OF THE PROJECT, AND A COUPLE OF THEM WERE STATED AT THE TOWN HALLS, BUT TO JUST GO OVER TO THEM, ONE IS THAT THERE IS NO TRANSFER .

I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR AND HIS TEAM DID A GOOD JOB OF SAYING THAT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE REASON WE ARE PARTNERING WITH NONPROFITS IS THAT NONPROFITS DO NOT WANT TO HOLD YOU BACK.

THEY ARE THERE TO SERVE AS THE AGENTS FOR THE OWNERS AND BE THE ONES WHO ARE NOW DEALING WITH THE DEVELOPERS WHO WILL REDEVELOP THEM.

I THINK THE SECOND THING THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO REALIZE ALSO IS THE FUNDING SOURCE IS A VERY KEY COMPONENT OF THIS.

BECAUSE IT IS HARD OF FUNDING, IT FOCUSES ON LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES.

SO THE PROPERTIES CANNOT BE REDEVELOPED AND NOW WE ARE CHARGING ABOVE MARKET VALUE AT $2000, $4000 FOR A ONE BEDROOM.

I THINK IF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES OF THE PROGRAM, I HOPE THAT IT WILL ALLEVIATE THEIR FEARS, AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME WE GET THE REDEVELOPMENTS THAT WE NEED BECAUSE HOUSING CURRENTLY IS IN A CRISIS.

WE HAVE VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY TO START FROM SCRATCH.

AND SO IT WOULD BE MUCH, MUCH BETTER, NOT ONLY FOR THE ECONOMY, BUT EVEN FOR THE COST OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO FOR US TO BE ABLE TO REDEVELOP SOME OF THESE EXISTING BUILDINGS AND PUT VIRGIN ISLANDERS BACK INSIDE >> I CANNOT DISAGREE, AND I KNOW YOU CANNOT EITHER.

WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE ARE REVITALIZING OUR TOWN AND THESE BUILDINGS.

YOU COULD ALSO CHIME IN FROM A HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE.

WE HAVE SEEN NOW WHERE A LOT OF OUR TOWN AREAS WHERE, ONCE A BUSINESS CLOSES DOWN, EVERYONE LEAVES AND SOMETHING IS GOING ON.

IF YOU NEED A BOTTLE OF MILK OR SOMETHING GOING ON, THERE IS ACTUAL ACTIVITY THAT MUST CONTINUE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THAT IS WHAT GIVES VITALITY TO RESIDENCE.

HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE HAD THAT MOTTO.

TOWNS.

AND RESIDENCE ON TOP.

I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THERE IS A NATIONAL OR WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CITIES.

15 MINUTES.

WE ALSO WANT IT AT A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE.

YOU KNOW?

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE COMFORTABLE FOR RESIDENCE.

AND THIS RESTORATION IS THE ULTIMATE RENEWAL PROCESS.

WE ARE NOT DEMOLISHING STRUCTURES BUT RESTORING THEM.

AND THAT IS KEY.

>> NICE.

EVEN IF YOU GO AND --IN MANY STATES, YOU SEE THE SHOPPING THAT IS CREATED RIGHT THEREBY RESIDENTIAL LIVING AND ALL THE SUPPORTING TOWN BUSINESSES FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT IS THE VISION.

SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE AESTHETICS OF OUR TOWN, REBUILD, AND HELP A LOT OF THESE TOWNS THAT HAVE ISSUES RELATIVE TO FAMILIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ALIGN, AND MAKING SURE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO PUSH TO MAKE SURE OUR TOWNS BACK TO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.

>> I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO ASK THIS FOR GENTRIFICATION.

THAT PART OF THIS EFFORT IS TO COMPILE THOSE.

WE WANT TO DO THAT BUT MAY NOT HAVE THE FUNDING.

>> YEAH.

THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.

THE MONEY TO ACTUALLY GET IT DONE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE IS ALSO LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS BEFORE AND WHILE THEY´RE IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING THE LEGISLATURE.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND SUBMIT ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION CAN GET THE SUPPORT TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND WE SPOKE TO RESIDENCE IN THE CHRISTIANSEN AREA TO GET THOUGHTS ON THE BUILDINGS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUT UP.

LISTEN UP.

>> THE BUILDING IN TOWN THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE RETORT IS THE CHILD HOSPITAL SO THAT WE CAN HAVE TWO FUNCTIONAL HOSPITALS INSTEAD OF ONE TO TAKE CARE OF THE GUN VIOLENCE THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SUICIDE OR RAPE, AND, YOU KNOW, MEDICAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> I WOULD SAY THE LIBRARY, FOR SURE.

AND ADULT EDUCATION, AS WELL.

THAT IS FOR SURE ON MY MIND.

OKAY?

AND ALSO I AM REALLY THANKFUL AND SO DELIGHTED THAT THE CHURCH AND ST. JOHN´S HAS BEEN REFURBISHED , AND THE WHOLE THING HAS BEEN DONE AND IT IS PRETTY AND AWESOME AND IT IS A GREAT ESTABLISHMENT ITSELF.

>> JUST CANNOT GET AWAY.

JUST ASK THE QUESTION.

THEY SPEAK ABOUT THEY STARTED SPEAKING ABOUT THE CHILD´S MEDICAL COMPLEX THAT IS CURRENTLY IN DEMOLITION.

AND WE ARE ALSO SEEING THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS NAMED AFTER DANNA CHRISTENSON AND WE SHOULD SEE IT STARTING NEXT YEAR.

I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

WE HAVE SEEN A RENDERING OF IT.

A VISION FOR IT.

IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE TRANSFORMATIONAL.

BUT OUR LIBRARIES.

FLORENCE WILLIAMS LIBRARIES.

YOU ARE ON THAT.

YOU ARE ALL OVER THAT.

>> FLORENCE WILLIAMS HAS BEEN IN CONSTRUCTION FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR NOW.

AND WE ARE PLEASED.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE TARGETING THE OPENING FOR THE END OF OCTOBER.

SO THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF SOME ITEMS THAT WE NEED TO WRAP UP IN THE INTERIOR.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE EXCITED.

WE ARE ONCE AGAIN GOING TO RESTORE SERVICES IN THE CHRISTIANSEN AREA.

AND IT WILL BE COMING SOONER, RATHER THAN LATER.

AND WE PLAN ON OFFERING SERVICES ON TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, MAXIMIZING THE ABILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO UTILIZE THE SOURCE.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND I HEARD A LITTLE SECRET THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SHARE AT THE OPENING.

SO JUST DOING THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU HAVE TRADITIONALLY DONE IT WITH THE LIBRARY.

>> YES.

WE WANT TO EXPAND HOW WE OFFER OUR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO WHEN WE ARE GETTING READY TO HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HINT.

HINT.

ONE THE FLORENCE WILLIAMS LIBRARY OPENS AT THE END OF OCTOBER, THERE IS GOING TO BE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK THAT IS GOING ON, THE COMMISSION SAID, WITH THE SEWER LINE MAIN PROJECT.

IT IS ALSO GOING TO BE PIGGYBACKED WITH WORK FOR UNDERGROUND, AS CHRISTIANSEN SAID AS WELL FOR POWERLINES, AS WE ARE THEN ALSO SEEING DP&R AND COMMISSIONER GABRIEL AND HIS TEAM GOING IN WITH THE WORK TO BE DONE.

YOU CANNOT HAVE A NICE TOWN WITH RAGGEDY ROADS.

ISN´T THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

>> SO THEY ARE COMPLETING ROADWORK IN FREDRICKSON, ALSO.

PHASE TWO.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE GONE INTO REMODELING FREDRICKSON.

AND THERE IS MORE TO COME IN THAT AREA.

AND THE BIG PROJECT THAT EVERYONE IS ASKING ABOUT --WE HAVE OUR CHIEF ENGINEER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> WE ARE HERE TODAY AT THE POLLY JOSEPH STADIUM SPORTS COMPLEX PROJECT, WHERE THIS PROJECT IS A BIG PART OF THE FREDRICKSON TOWN REVITALIZATION.

OUR CONTRACTOR IS GEC.

HE HAS STARTED ITS BUILDING ELEMENTS.

THE FLOOR, SLAB, AND FOUNDATION IS COMPLETE.

THE PERIMETER WALLS.

THE TOWERS WITH THE ICONIC RED ROOF, AS WELL AS THE UPPER FLOOR --THE TOP FLOOR FOR THE UPPER COMPLEX IS COMPLETE.

CURRENTLY, WE ARE WORKING ON THE BLEACHERS AND RISERS.

WHERE THE LEFT FIELD BLEACHERS SIDE IS COMPLETE, THEY ARE BLEACHERS SIDE.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON THE INTERIOR WALLS, AND WE HAVE RECENTLY STARTED THE BASIS FOR THE OUTFIELD LIGHT POLES.

>> GET THE PROJECT MOVING AND KEEP THEM MOVING.

IN THE TOWN AREA AS WELL, YOU HAVE FORT FREDERICK AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER LIBRARY.

SO LET US TALK ABOUT FORT FREDERICK.

WHERE ARE WE WITH THAT PROCESS?

>> SO FORT FREDERICK IS CURRENTLY IN DESIGN.

THE SPRING LINE ARCHITECT.

I WOULD SAY WE ARE ABOUT 40% COMPLETED.

THE MAIN THING WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS BRINGING OR MAKING SURE CODE COMPLAINTS WHEN IT COMES TO THESE OLDER BUILDINGS.

AND SO IT BECOMES CHALLENGING IN TERMS OF BALANCING FULL CODE COMPLAINTS WITH PRESERVATION OF A HISTORIC STRUCTURE.

AND SO IT HAS BEEN QUITE A CHALLENGE.

I THINK THAT WE ARE HOPING TO GET TO THE END OF THE DESIGN PHASE BY JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

>> SO YOU PUT A LOT OF EXTRA REQUIREMENTS IN THEIR.

I NOTICE YOU SAID CHALLENGE IN.

YOU HAVE BUILDING PERMITS.

I NEED TO KNOW, IS THERE A FIGHT GOING ON?

>> OH, NO, NO.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR IN-HOUSE EXPERTISE IN PRESERVATION.

BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO STRIKE THAT BALANCE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PRESERVING THE HERITAGE WHILE IT SAFE AND PUTTING UP A FACILITY FOR OUR RESIDENCES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR VISITORS.

IT IS A MAJOR ATTRACTION.

>> AND WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU FOR A HISTORICAL FACT ABOUT FORT FREDERICK.

BUT LET US TALK ABOUT THE OTHER LIBRARY.

THE LIBRARY IN FREDRICKSON.

>> WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT OFFICIALLY WE KICKED OFF THAT PROJECT WITH THE CONTRACTOR LAST WEEK, AS WELL.

I THINK IF ANYBODY IS DRIVING BY, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE RECOVERY SIGNS.

SO WE DID A WALK-THROUGH WITH THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM.

WE ARE JUST RIGHT NOW IN MOBILIZATION, AND THAT PROJECT WILL BE ABOUT A SIX MONTH PROJECT.

BUT THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT WERE NOT IN PROJECT BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE UPGRADING THE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE ARE AWAITING ADDITIONALLY FOR DP&R ABOUT CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS.

>> OKAY.

SO SOMETHING ADDITIONAL.

HOW ABOUT FEMA FUNDING?

THE DOLLARS THAT YOU HAVE TO FIND.

TO GET THE FACILITIES BACK TO EXACTLY HOW WE NEED THEM.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO REGULARLY SHARE.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS, IT COMES WITH A CLEAR SCOPE OF WHAT IS NEXT.

AND ANYTHING NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THAT FUNDING, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU GO OUT AND FIND SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

IT THEY DID NOT GIVE YOU FUNDING FOR THIS CHAIR, BUT THEY GIVE YOU FUNDING FOR THESE TWO CHAIRS, WE CAN´T SAY WE FIXED IT IF WE DON´T FIX THESE CHAIRS.

RIGHT?

KUDOS TO YOUR CO-TEAM WE EXPECT THEM TO BE.

ACTUALLY, I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOUR FUN FACT OR HISTORICAL FACT FOR FREDERICK.

LET US TELL THE AUDIENCE SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FORT FREDERICK.

>> YOU SHOULD NOTE IT WAS THE SITE OF THE FINAL STAND IN, YOU KNOW, SAINT CROIX.

1848.

A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT IT PLAYED.

BUT SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW FROM A NATIONAL STANDPOINT THAT FORT FREDERICK IS ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES TO RECOGNIZE THE AMERICAN FLAG.

THE SHIP WAS PASSING BY AND FORT FREDERICK FIRED OFF A CANNON SALUTE.

IT IS PART OF OUR NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS TO HIGHLIGHT.

>> DID YOU KNOW THAT?

>> I LOVE IT.

YES.

THIS IS ACTUALLY --THE COMES IN.

IT IS ACTUALLY A VERY, VERY SPECIAL PLACE.

NOT JUST BECAUSE I AM FROM THE WEST SIDE.

BUT FREDRICKSON.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING ON THERE AS WELL.

THERE IS A NEW WICK BUILDING THAT IS RECEIVING A FOLLOW-UP.

AND YOU ARE GOING TO GET SOME LIGHTING ON THAT WATERFRONT.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF ACTIVITY THAT IS PLANNED FOR CHRISTMAS TIME, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE WORKING IN FREDRICKSON AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION NOT ONLY CLEAN UP THAT AREA EVERY MORNING BUT ALSO ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ARE DONE AS WELL AS THE WATERFRONT.

IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO FLY DOWN BY THE MARLEY HOUSING COMMUNITY, YOU WOULD SEE THAT ALL OF THAT CHAIN WORK HAS BEEN DONE AND THE BENCHES HAVE BEEN REFURBISHED.

THIS IS REALLY GETTING IT TO THE WATERFRONT.

IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

IT RIVALS ANY --IF YOU GO ON ANY CRUISE SHIP AND YOU PULL UP IN A HARBOR, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE.

NO OTHER AREA THAT IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS FREDRICKSON.

DO NOT DEBATE ME.

DO NOT DEBATE ME.

AND THAT IS HIGHLIGHTING FREDRICKSON.

AND THE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT RESTORATION IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

LET US GET AN UPDATE.

>> I AM THE NICOLE PRODUCTS IN, THE MANAGER AT THE PROPERTY.

AND I AM HERE.

AT THIS LOCATION.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS.

WE HAVE THE COMPLEX HERE IN THE HEART OF FREDRICKSON, SAINT THIS COMMUNITY COMES WITH 36 STEAM ENGINE UNITS AND IS A PART OF THE INTERFACE OF FREDRICKSON FOR YOU.

THIS COMMUNITY IS CURRENTLY UNDER REHABILITATION AND ITS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR.

THIS PROJECT IS CERTAINLY IN ITS FIRST PHASE.

IT IS BEING DEBATED.

IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE MODIFICATIONS, REPLACEMENTS, AND UNITS FOR THE INTERIORS.

THE CONTRACTOR ALSO HAS KEPT AN EYE ON THE JOB FOR THE YEAR OF 2024.

ONCE THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLETE, IT WILL TRANSFERRED FOR CONTINUITY OF PHASE TWO.

ONCE THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS COMPLETE, THIS WILL BE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, HOUSING IN A TOWN, AS WELL, IS VERY CRITICAL.

ESPECIALLY THE HOUSING COMMUNITY THERE THAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT.

AND EVEN THE HISTORICAL ASPECT TO IT.

ANYTHING IN THE TOWN IS SUBJECT TO --IS THAT CORRECT?

FOR THE REQUIREMENTS?

>> YEAH.

IF IT IS USING FEDERAL FUNDS.

EVERYTHING IN THE DISTRICT GOES THROUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

THE PROJECT IS FEDERALLY FUNDED.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT.

AND THE FEDERAL ENTITY AND LOCAL JURISDICTION.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, LOTS TO DO.

AND THE RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED INTO NEW UNITS.

WE EXPECT TO HAVE A GRAND OPENING IN OCTOBER.

SO MUCH MORE TO COME ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, THIS COMPETITION IS NOT JUST ABOUT FIXING BUILDINGS.

SOME OF THESE HAVE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL TIES, AS YOU SPOKE ABOUT.

AND THE RESIDENTS OF ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS HAS SOME VIEWPOINTS ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF REBUILDING OUR TOWN.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> THE BUILDINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE REFURBISHED ARE IN EAST AND WEST.

THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT WERE UP AND RUNNING WHEN I WAS YOUNGER ARE NOW ABANDONED, AND IT IS HARD NOT LIKE HAVING CULTURE AND HISTORY TO SHOW TO >> WE ARE STANDING HERE IN DOWNTOWN.

I THINK THE ONES AT THIS TIME IS HOTEL 1829.

THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A BIT OF RESTORATION IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, WHICH IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

AND I THINK THE HISTORICAL RESERVATION.

IT HAS MADE IT AVAILABLE.

I SEE HOTEL 1829 NEEDS A BIT OF WORK ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF VERY WELL KNOWN BUILDINGS.

BUT HOTEL 1829, YOU KNOW, THAT IS A CRITICAL BUILDING WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ST. THOMAS.

AND ICONIC BUILDING.

>> IT IS ONE OF OUR HISTORIC HOTELS.

AND IT HAS BEEN UP AND RUNNING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

PROBABLY RESULT IN TRANSITION.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT RESTORED AND BEING PUT BACK INTO USE.

>> AND IT IS 18 DASH >> 1829.

HOTEL 1829.

>> AND THE LUTHERAN CHURCH AS WELL.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE RECOVERY PROJECT?

WE WARNED HIM IN A CHECK RECENTLY.

BUT THERE WAS A RECOVERY EFFORT.

THEY HAD THE RECIPIENTS WITH THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNTS.

SO, YOU KNOW, VERY PLEASED WITH BEING ABLE TO OFFER THIS, YOU KNOW, NON-MATCH REQUIRED GRANT PROGRAM.

THE ONLY THING I WISH IS THAT WE HAD MORE TO OFFER.

>> YES.

AND ALSO AT ST. CROIX, THE BUILDING AS WELL.

>> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE.

>> SO I KNOW THAT THEY ARE -- THEY HAVE BEEN SELECTED THROUGH OUR PROCESS.

I THINK THAT THE FINAL FEDERAL APPROVAL IS UNDER REVIEW RIGHT NOW.

BUT THEY SHOULD ALSO BE RECEIVING AN AWARD FROM THE DEPARTMENT, DEFINITELY, BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> EXCELLENT.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS HELPING WITH EFFORTS BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO RENOVATE PROPERTIES IN OUR TOWN.

WE SPOKE WITH MR. DONNIE DORSHEN ABOUT AWARDING THOSE FUNDS.

>> WE DID MEETINGS, BOTH ONLINE AS WELL AS IN PERSON ON ALL THREE ISLANDS.

WE GOT AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE.

THE DEADLINE WAS MAY 15th AND WE GOT 70 APPLICATIONS CONSISTING OF BUILDINGS PREFERRED, SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANTS, AND ALSO SMALL BUSINESS-ELIGIBLE TRAINING PROVIDER.

SO WE HAVE COLLECTED THESE APPLICATIONS AND BASICALLY STARTED A REVIEW PROCESS.

WE STARTED IN JUNE AND CONTINUED ON INTO JULY, AND ALSO WE ARE DOING IT IN SEPTEMBER.

THERE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT SESSIONS.

WE KEEP CONTACT WITH THE APPLICANTS.

WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR APPLICATIONS.

WE ALREADY TOLD THEM ABOUT WHAT WE DO FOR THE REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.

WE WILL MOVE FORWARD IN COMMITMENT TO HELPING OUR TERRITORY AND IMPROVING OUR DOWNTOWN SMALL BUSINESSES AND TRAINING THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES TO BECOME MORE ECONOMIC RESILIENT DURING A NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER.

PROVIDE UPDATES TO YOU AS THE TIME GOES ON AND WE LOOK FORWARD, HOPEFULLY, BY THE END OF THIS YEAR TO LAUNCH OUR FIRST INDIVIDUAL NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS NOT MISSING A BEAT EITHER.

THEY HAVE A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES IN NEED OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

>> THE ENTERPRISE-OWNED COMMISSION HAS A VISION WITHIN THE AUTHORITY.

IT IS CHARGED WITH REVITALIZING ONCE-VIBRANT TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED DISTRESSED.

THESE ARE THE TOWNS OF CHRISTIANSEN AND FREDERIKSTED AND THE DON STREET AREA IN THE UP STREET AREA IN ST. THOMAS.

THE ENTERPRISE ZONE PROVIDES TO REVITALIZE BUILDINGS WITHIN THESE ZONES.

INDIVIDUALS CAN GET UP TO 90% REDUCTIONS ON REVENUES DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT THEY ARE IN.

THEY CAN ALSO RECEIVE TAX CREDITS FOR REVITALIZING THOSE BUILDINGS.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENTERPRISE ZONE, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WWW.USVI.ORG.

WELL, YOU HEARD ABOUT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE HAVE.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE PRESSURE HAVING BOTH OF YOU WITH ME.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO PUSH TO GET OUR TOWNS BACK TO WHAT WE WANT THEM TO BE.

SO THAT IS A WRAP FROM US.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A PROPERTY IN ONE OF THOSE TOWNS THAT IS IN NEED OF REPAIR, WE HOPE THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL FOR YOU.

AND WE THINK ALL OF YOU FOR TUNING IN AND MAKE SURE TO JOIN US FOR THE NEXT EPISODE OF "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

JOIN US AT USVI.ODI.COM THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR OTHERS.

>> THE HARDEST PART OF THE EXPERIENCE WAS THE THOUGHT OF NOT BEING THERE.

LIKELY, MY FAMILY AND SUPPORT TEAM HAD ME.

THEY SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT.

AND IT WAS PHENOMENAL.

THE SCREENINGS FOR CANCER.

THE ANSWER IS AN ABSOLUTE YES.

IF YOU ARE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF CANCER, YOU SHOULD BE GETTING SCREENED BY THE AGE OF 40.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT SCREENING, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND SEE IF IT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

THIS MESSAGE WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.