Dear Source:
The Port Authority continues to experience overwhelming leadership issues at the Crown Bay Center.
By definition, management is the art of conducting and directing of all or part of an organization or business through the deployment and manipulation of resources (human, financial, material, intellectual or intangible) to achieve forecasted outcomes. Whereas, marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational goals. The integration of these two processes is essential and basic to the success or failure of any organization. Therefore, as exhibited by its business faux pas, the management and marketing efforts of the Crown Bay Center can only be summed up as deficient.
Initially, many small business owners were excited at the opening of the Crown Bay Center. The predominant enticement was the Center's goal to provide small business owners with a venue which featured range of products and services to an island-wide local and transient market; while maintaining a professional, clean and inviting environment unlike what has characterized Vendor's Plaza in Charlotte Amalie. The prospect of a government operated venue which welcomed local businesses to participate in the $400 million industry where their participation is generally stymied by economic impediments was welcomed and highly anticipated. The initial plan was characterized by the affordable rent component ($400 for kiosks to $1,000 for 500 sq ft units). However, those rent charges escalated to $800.00 and $1,200.00 respectively on the opening; negating the intended public benefit. Generally, their has been a vast disconnect with the conceptual goals and premises espoused by the Board of Directors and management of the Port Authority which was intended to guide the Crown Bay Center in achieving its proposed business strategy.
The tenants have been particularly impacted by the absence of or lack of implementation of a comprehensive plan and professional leadership. The unwillingness to meet and address issues of sustainability explicitly takes advantage of disjointed small business owners who are presently without a voice; and sacrifice monthly to make rent payments when there are no ships or pedestrian traffic in which to support such payments. Presently, although there are only six (6) months of staggered cruise ship activity at the Crown Bay Center, small business owners are required to maintain payments for the entire year (12 months), including those months where there are no ships at all. Hence, during a time of unimaginable economic hardships, small business owners are unscrupulously forced to subsidize the fiduciary missteps of the Port Authority and the Crown Bay Center by paying twice the rent for half the use. This policy is outrageous and serves to penalize poor motivated and proud Virgin Islanders and Virgin Islands residents who seek to participate in the tourism industry with dignity and respect.
In conclusion, the Crown Bay Center has become the bane of the Port Authority. By on large, the present management lacks the acumens and the expertise necessary to drive the mission and objectives of the Crown Bay Center. The general disregard for the welfare of tenants and an unprincipled management style has created an untrusting environment and has served to polarize management tenants. In addition, the obstinate unwillingness to address outstanding issues such as rent prorating, rerouting of ships and its financial implications, professional code of conduct and enforcement; in addition to contractual retail restrictions have created an unwelcoming and belligerent environment at the Center.
The Authority was established as a semi-autonomous agency through Act 2375. The law stipulates that VIPA must make its properties available to the public so that the populace may reap the benefits of these facilities. The actions of Port Authority have served to compromise the basic trust in a people and a government to whom they have entrusted and contravenes the central premise of its creation which is fundamental to government, which is to protect and secure the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
K. Antonio Vanterpool
St. Thomas
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