From a marina dredging project on St. Thomas to issuing a request for proposals for a drag racing strip on St. Croix, V.I. Port Authority board members moved forward on a number items this week that they said would either improve existing VIPA-owned facilities or create new ones to boost the economy.
During a special session in July, senators approved a Coastal Zone Management permit to dredge off St. Thomas for cruise ships. The permit allowed VIPA to dredge the East Gregorie Channel in Crown Bay and a section of the area along the northern portion of the pier at the Austin "Babe" Monsanto Marine Terminal.
During Wednesday’s board meeting on St. Thomas, VIPA Executive Director Carlton “Ital” Dowe said the authority is moving ahead with negotiations on a contract for half the project, dredging the Crown Bay Marina, which already cleared the Army Corps of Engineers. Dowe said VIPA is in negotiations with the one contractor that responded when the project was put out to bid and is currently waiting for the second half of the project – dredging the East Gregorie Channel – to get approval from one more agency before moving onto the Army Corps of Engineers.
At the Senate session in July, Dowe said VIPA was aiming to complete the project by November, when tourist season starts.
Cruise lines asked for the dredging, which will allow more and larger vessels to dock, but if the dredging doesn’t go forward immediately, 13 ships will cancel, costing millions in lost revenue, Dowe said during the session.
At Wednesday’s board meeting, Dowe added that a request for proposals is out now for the channel dredging portion of the project and VIPA is waiting on responses.
As the expansion of Crown Bay is hoped to be a revenue booster for St. Thomas, with increased cruise ship calls, VIPA board members also discussed Wednesday a potential project for St. Croix.
During the meeting, the board approved the issuance of an RFP seeking a qualified operator, or operators, for a drag racing facility on Port Authority-owned property at Estate Bethlehem Middle Works.
According to the RFP, the facility includes half a mile of asphalt track, spectator seating, a ticket booth and concession stand, among other things. In responding to the RFP, bidders are asked to submit a detailed plan for the operation of the racing strip, including a full race season card with monthly events, or a “moderate” race season card with a “few” major events. They are also asked to provide a financial plan for the operation of the facility.
The board also approved:
– the reassignment of a lease for Charaf & Company to G. Jeffery Pickett for 8,971 square feet of land in Frenchtown. The base lease is for 20 years with two option periods of 10 years each. The area will be used as parking, storage and office space;
– a lease for storage space at Crown Bay Center for Big Horn LLC, doing business as Caribana, for a two-year term with a relocation clause at $16,800 per year;
– the internal transfer of $100,000 within VIPA’s 2014 capital projects budget to pay Otis Elevator Company to install a new passenger elevator at the Cyril E. King Airport to replace the existing passenger elevator that is not working;
– a change order for Island Roads Corporation in the amount of $184,864.48 to mitigate unforeseen, unstable conditions under the existing general aviation apron at King Airport;
– a contract with Caribe LLP in the amount of $117,610 to design a fire alarm and sprinkler system at King Airport;
– a contract between VIPA and URS Caribe LLP in the amount of $89,505 to design a fire suppression system for the North General Aviation Building at Cyril E. King Airport. The system would replace the original fire system that was installed when the building was constructed in 1988;
– a contract between VIPA and URS Caribe LLP in the amount of $92,496 to design a fire suppression system at the King Airport Cargo Building. This would replace the original fire system that was installed when the building was constructed in 1986;
– the internal transfer of VIPA funds (not to exceed $75,166) to repair the perimeter fencing at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport;
– the installation of a sign at Rohlsen Airport featuring Tim Duncan;
– the purchase a new backup generator at Rohlsen Airport not to exceed $200,000. This replaces a failed generator;
– and an offer from insurer Alpha Risk Management of $550,000 for fire damages to the building in Sub Base that housed the V.I. Water and Power Authority.
