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Vote on Christiansted Town Plan This Week

Residents and owners of properties and businesses in Christiansted have a second chance to view and cast their vote this week for one of two proposed town plans for Christiansted, according to the V.I. Economic Development Authority.

The EDA’s Enterprise Zone Commission will host a second series of viewings of the proposed town plans from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 6 through 8 at the Steeple Building on Company and Church Street in Christiansted.

The proposed town plans are designed to provide a road map for the economic, social, and architectural development of Christiansted, according to EDA, which wants as much community participation as possible to help select the best town plan.

The selection process is a competition between two local design architects from St. Croix who will remain anonymous during the voting process, according to EDA. The proposed plans are identified at the viewing site as "Plan A" and "Plan B".

According to Nadine Marchena Kean, the director of the EZC, attendees can also review the details of each design architect’s proposal for the town plan before casting their vote. The proposals of the design architects are available at the viewing site. Photos of certain parts of each plan display are also posted on the VIEDA’s website at www.usvieda.org; however, individuals can only vote at the viewing site. Attendees can also provide comments on their ballot.
The proposed town plans also will be reviewed by a professional who reviews town plans in various jurisdictions, according to EDA.

The EZC will tally the votes and the proposed town plan with the majority of the votes will be selected. The EZC will then prepare a proposal based on the selected proposed town plan and will present the proposal to the EDA Board and the Governor of the Virgin Islands for review and adoption as the Christiansted Town Plan.

The EZC has applied for federal grants to fund the project.

In October, several residents, business and property owners, and leaders of non-profit organizations came out to cast their votes for one of two proposed town plans designed for Christiansted.

Marjorie Robbins, a member of the Christiansted Community Alliance and an owner of an art gallery in Christiansted, is enthusiastic about the idea of the development of a town plan and cast her vote during the first series of town plan viewings. “I think it’s a fabulous idea [and] it would be great if someone follows through,” said Robbins, a St. Croix resident since 1980, according to EDA.

Some of the features on the proposed town plans include enhancements to the boardwalk, elevated car garages, a seaquarium, and a proposed University of the Virgin Islands’ V.I. Caribbean Culture Center and Architectural School.

The proposed Christiansted town plans are a result of a series of town meetings and workshops – a charrette – that were held in Christiansted in March. At the charrette, panelists who specialize in various subjects that affect community and area development, and the general public came together to share their ideas, opinions, recommendations, and possible solutions to the problems that exist in Christiansted.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Director of the Enterprise Zone Commission, Nadine Marchena Kean, at 1-340-714-1700, ext. 256; or Enterprise Zone Specialist Deray Calixte at 1-340-773-6499. Those interested can learn more about the Enterprise Zone Commission online at http://www.usvieda.org/about-vieda/divisions/enterprise-zone-commission.

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