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Financing Approved to Restore Historic Buildings

Jan. 11, 2005 – In its first meeting of the year, the V.I. Public Finance Authority Board of Directors approved $15.08 million for the renovations and repairs of historic buildings and ratified 18 contracts.
Kenneth Mapp, PFA director of administration and finance, told the board that the people of the territory were "frustrated" with the slow pace of the capital projects and urged the board to approve the funding for the work on the buildings.
The board, chaired by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, unanimously approved the $15.08 million for the projects, which comes from the 2003 revenue bonds.
"What we're trying to do on all three islands is to renovate the historic buildings, particularly on St. Croix," Turnbull said.
Turnbull added there were two main reasons why the buildings should be restored — they are a part of the territory's heritage and restoring them will bring an economic benefit.
"Once these buildings are restored, they can become a part of historic tours," Turnbull said, adding this will bring jobs and money into the territory's coffers.
The buildings to be renovated are:
On St. Croix – the Petersen Library at $350,000; the Von Scholten School for the Boy Scouts headquarters at $330,000; Bonne Esperance Great House at $2 million; Sion Farm Great House at $550,000; Government House Christiansted at $400,000; the Hospital Street Project to house the Lt. Governor's Office at $2.9 million; and the Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic at $250,000.
On St. Thomas – the Enid Baa Library at $500,000; the Jarvis House at $350,000; the Quarter "B" Morris de Castro Building at $2.1 million; Government House maintenance, repairs and renovations at $500,000; Denmark Hill at $1.6 million; the Lt. Governor's Building at $150,000; Market Square Bungalow at $750,000; Property and Procurement Barracks Building in Sub Base at $800,000; the Old District Court House at $750,000.
On St. John – the Elaine Ione Sprauve Library at $150,000; Government House in Cruz Bay at $100,000; and the East End Old School House at $550,000.
"The buildings are going to be put to practical use," Turnbull said, adding the renovations were not just for show. He added, utilization of these properties for government use would reduce rental costs for the government.
The PFA decided to hold a $2 million renovation project at the Fort Christian Museum on St. Thomas because not enough funds were available.
"It is the intent of the PFA to fund the renovation of Fort Christian," Mapp said, adding it has to be held temporarily to keep in line with the $15 million that was available.
The PFA board also ratified 18 professional service and construction contracts.
"Many of these contracts are already in place, and people are performing," Mapp said.
Below is a list of the contracts and their values:
– Jaredian Design Group for Government House renovations at a value of $59,000.
– Jaredian Design Group for Quarter "B" Morris de Castro Building at a value of $262,500.
– Alton A. Adams Jr. Inc. for the Toro Building on St. Croix to house the offices of the Justice Department at a value of $372,000.
– Taller Larjas, LLC for Sion Farm Great House at a value of $20,157;
– Taller Larjas, LLC for the Hospital Street project to house the Lt. Governor's Office at a value of $755,000.
– Alton A. Adams Jr. Inc. for the contract administration at Catherineberg at a value of $46,800.
– Chalgub/Lanio Architects Inc. for the Von Scholten School in Estate Diamond at a value of $30,000.
– Chalgub/Lanio Architects Inc. for the Herbert Griggs Home for the Aged at a value of $55,000.
– Caribbean Professional Consultants Inc. for the master agreement with the Education Department at a value of $1.1 million.
– HTA Caribbean Inc. for the master agreement with the Waste Management Authority for two wastewater plants at an unspecified value.
– Sphere Design for all St. John historic renovations at a value of $72,000.
– Coughlin & Associates for the Great House at Estate Bonne Esperance at a value of $250,000.
– Matric Enterprises Inc. for the Renovations at Catherineberg at a value of $2.19 million.
– Central Air Inc. for Government House renovations at a value of $31,450.
– RPS Electric Inc. for Government House renovations at a value of $91,363.42.
– Samuel Ottley Construction for Government House renovations at a value of $99,632.
– AVI General Contractors Inc. for the V.I. Police Department's communication tower at a value of $196,615.
– And Construction Express Inc. for the Vincent Mason Pool at a value of $82,500.
Mapp said the total value of all the contracts is approximately $5.7 million. He said the PFA does not have to go through the bidding process required for other governmental agencies; however, the authority worked with the Property and Procurement Department in selecting the contractors.
Board member Ira Mills asked Mapp whether the contractors had an energy-efficiency plan in place. Mapp said no, but he would send out a memo to all the contractors notifying them to submit a plan for energy efficiency.
Also, the board, during executive session, approved a proposal to investigate the acquisition of property on St. Croix, decided to proceed with legal representation in relation to the Ingvoldstat Family Trust, and tabled a request from Hovensa to purchase private activity bonds. The board also approved three professional service contracts during executive session – Buchanan Ingersoll, Winston & Strawn and Banc of America Securities.
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