CZM Approves VIPA Gallows Bay Terminal Renovation Project

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Port Authority has received the green light to begin major renovations at the Gallows Bay Marine Facility in Christiansted, VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe announced Monday.

On Thursday, December 15, the VI Coastal Zone Management Commission approved VIPA’s application to begin major renovations at the Gallows Bay facility. VIPA has since put the project out to bid seeking a contractor to develop the existing terminal into a dual-purpose arrival facility.

Additional land-side improvements include resurfacing the pavement at the port and shoreline revetment, Mr. Dowe said. The project will be out to bid for 30 days, and it should take another 30 days to review the bids after they are received. “We anticipate having the project before the board for approval by February 2017,” he said.

Talk of dredging the Gallows Bay Marine Facility has been circulating for well over a decade. However, in May 2015, the 31st Legislature moved swiftly during a session at the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall to approve two Coastal Zoning Management (CZM) permits for the development of two marine projects on St. Croix — including the dredging of the Gallows Bay harbor.

Governor Kenneth Mapp, who has been an ardent supporter of the dredging, had encouraged the Senate to take action on the permits, writing to outgoing Senate President Neville James last year as the approval, Mr. Mapp said, would do much good for St. Croix’s tourism product. The governor said promises made to cruise line executives at the annual Sea Trade Cruise Global conference in Miami, Florida, must be followed through so the executives could make the necessary decisions to increase visits to St. Croix.

“Positive action by the Legislature on these CZM permits are vital to moving forward with re-establishing cruise visits to Christiansted, St. Croix and doing much needed repairs to the bulk head at the seaplane terminal facility. The Port Authority cannot proceed with these projects absent action by the Senate. In short, we are now waiting on you,” wrote the governor in May 2015.

“I have met with the executive director about the status of these projects and his timetable on moving forward. After our discussion, we agreed to bring this matter to your attention to seek speedy action to advance the ball. As you may know, once the Senate acts, then and only then can the US Army Corps of Engineer issue its permit; the final leg in the permitting process,” he added.

According VIPA, CZM also conducted a public hearing on Thursday to hear VIPA’s proposal to dredge the Krause Lagoon Channel to enable safer navigation for vessels. Mr. Dowe said the hearing went well, and a CZM decision hearing will be scheduled shortly to determine if VIPA can proceed with the project.

“These two projects will help to stimulate the USVI economy overall, and St. Croix’s economy in particular. Both projects combined are in excess of $15 million and will bring approximately 156 construction jobs to the St. Croix district,” Mr. Dowe said. He added that the Gallows Bay renovations will transform the entire port into a passenger facility, as VIPA plans to move all cargo operations from Gallows Bay to the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier in Krause Lagoon.

VIPA’s projects for bid are posted on its Web site at www.viport.com. For more information, contact VIPA’s engineering office at (340) 774-1629 on St. Thomas or
778-3757 on St. Croix.