The V.I. Port Authority Governing Board heard updates on six projects in the St. Thomas-St. John district and nine in the St. Croix district Wednesday. It also heard an update on the authority’s financial situation from Chief Financial Officer Anna Mauricia Penn.
The only official action it took was approving a $114,000 contract with Julien’s Welding to replace the fencing at the Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal.
Board Chair Willard John told the Source that the financial and engineering reports were “very positive.” He said they indicated that the territory’s Port Authority was part of a positive trend.
It was especially exciting for him to hear about the authority’s progress for warehouse space at Gordon Finch Cargo Terminal and the Myron “Bomba” Allick Molasses Pier, both on St. Croix. The molasses pier projects began in 2020 to relieve commercial activity in Gallow Bay and open Gallows Bay docks for ferries and yachts.
The Gordon Finch Cargo Facility includes a 19,000-square-foot building, 13,000 cargo spaces, and administrative offices. It will house the Customs and Border Patrol, V.I. Port Authority, and the Internal Revenue Bureau.
Port Authority’s Engineering Project Manager, Tafari Nelson, noted that the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Dock Terminal Cargo contract is nearly complete, with only punch list items and the final payment left.
He also reported that the second phase of the $15 million Henry E. Rohlsen Airport apron rehabilitation project was complete, and the third and final phase has begun. He added that the $7 million HERA Taxiway A & B Rehabilitation contract was in its closeout stage.
As for the Frederiksted Service Pier, he said it should be completed next month.
Nelson added that on St. Thomas, the $33 million Cyril E. King Airport parking transportation center project is almost complete, as is the taxiway, a $30 million west reconstruction project. The transportation building is expected to be occupied next month, and the runway construction job is complete except for final approvals and payment. Two other minor projects at the airport concerning airfield marking and sealing are also almost complete.
Nelson reported that there were still some problems between the authority and a contractor regarding the renovation of the Red Hook restrooms at the Urman V. Fredericks Marine Terminal. The Port Authority is funding the $210,000 renovation.
Holder reported that the aviation division lost $1.8 million in fiscal year 2024, less than the projected loss of $4.3 million. The marine division had a profit of $3.9 million, which was $3.3 million above its projected profit.
