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Dec. 13, 2006 – Last Wednesday, December 6, Senator Liston Davis met with a number of stakeholders, including representatives from the taxi industry, the V.I. Port Authority, the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce and Deliver It, Inc; the agents for the cruise lines which use Crown Bay Dock.
"The objective of the meeting was to address a two-fold issue brought to my attention", said Senator Davis. "In the first place, the already alarming traffic congestion experienced in downtown Charlotte Amalie, especially in the vicinity of Vendors Plaza, Post Office Square and Emancipation Garden, seems to have been exacerbated by the flow of traffic emanating from the Crown Bay Dock. Moreover, passengers from the cruise ships were congregating where they had disembarked and there is a critical need for merchants located at the lower end of the street to obtain a greater share of the "tourism pie", said senator Liston Davis.
To resolve the problem, Senator Davis recommended at the meeting that taxis coming from Crown Bay with cruise ship passengers would disembark on the street between First Bank and Pizza Hut, in places designated by the Virgin Islands Police Department.
"This approach to the problem would not only alleviate the congestion at Vendors Plaza, but would also help to stimulate more business for lower Main Street Merchants. Moreover, shopping would be made more comfortable for visitors and residents alike", said Senator Liston Davis, who concluded by noting that the recommended changes will shortly be implemented to the benefit of all.
