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VIPA Provides Seaport, Airport, Building Restoration Updates

Working on restorations of Cyril E. King and Henry E. Rohlsen airports

The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) is progressing with the permanent repairs of its 119 facilities damaged during the hurricanes of September 2017. VIPA competitively selected Lemartec Inc. in November 2017 to manage the restoration of its damaged airports and seaports.

AIRPORTS
The Cyril E. King Airport Terminal (CEKA) on St. Thomas was the most severely damaged facility. VIPA is revising plans to expand and modernize this 30-year-old facility, while simultaneously performing hurricane repairs and keeping the airport in full operation. Most of the work is done at night so that airport operations are not interrupted.
Repairs to the CEKA Air Cargo Facility will begin within the next six weeks, pending the arrival of material. The CEKA terminal roof replacement is about 92 percent completed. Other terminal renovations currently in process include:
an overhaul of the lobby area restrooms;
drywall, painting and other aesthetic repairs throughout the terminal;
improvements to the external lighting system;
the flooring replacement is scheduled to begin today; and
air conditioning system maintenance is ongoing to include the installation of two brand new 400-ton chiller units. Installation is scheduled to begin in the next two weeks.
The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (HERA) on St. Croix: The remaining interior drywall and painting at HERA Terminal will begin by March 4. The terminal’s roof repairs are expected to be completed by April 30. A new 40,000-square-foot cargo warehouse is being designed to replace the damaged building at the airport. This project will be advertised for bid in March 2019. In addition, the final phase of the HERA Apron Rehabilitation Project has been awarded to VI Asphalt Products Company.

SEAPORTS
· U.S. Customs and Border Protection Building, Cruz Bay, St. John: Construction of the new CBP building has begun and should be ready for occupancy by September 2019.
· Crown Bay Center, St. Thomas: Demolition of damaged structures at the Center has begun. Permanent interior repairs will commence in multiple buildings by March 11, 2019.
· The Urman V. Fredericks Marine Terminal, St. Thomas: The two-level parking garage at the UVF Terminal in Red Hook was delayed to implement new building requirements according to changes made to local VI building codes in 2018. Construction has resumed, and the garage will be completed before the summer of 2019.
· Wilfred Allick Port and Transshipment Center, St. Croix: A new office and cargo warehouse is being designed to replace the Containerport building that was completely damaged in the storms. Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2019. VIPA is reviewing the bids received this month to repair the roll on/roll off ramp at this facility.
· Gallows Bay, St. Croix: The new multi-purpose terminal at the Gallows Bay Port in Christiansted was designed in 2015. While construction is now underway, VIPA recently amended the project to ensure that the new terminal will be built in compliance with stricter building codes that went into effect in 2018. The terminal is scheduled for completion by June 2019.
· Svend Ovesen Seaplane Facility, St. Croix: VIPA is reviewing bids received this month to stabilize the deteriorated bulkhead at the seaplane facility in Christiansted.

ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS AND OTHER FACILITIES
· Administrative Building, St. Thomas: The staff in the administrative building adjacent to the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas have relocated to Building A, 161-A Crown Bay Center until June 2019 while the administrative building is being renovated.
· Purchasing Building, St. Thomas: A new purchasing building and warehouse is being designed to replace the damaged structure adjacent to CEKA. This project will be advertised for bid in March 2019.
· Lindbergh Bay Park, St. Thomas: VIPA has selected new equipment for the park. Other repairs to the fixtures in the water playground area will begin soon, as VIPA hopes to have the park open for the summer in 2019.

The Port Authority appreciates the public’s patience as it rebuilds facilities to be stronger so as to better serve visitors and the community. Questions regarding airports and seaport restoration should be directed to VIPA’s public relations office at 774-1629 or info@viport.com.

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