The V.I. Port Authority is tagging vehicles in a St. John parking facility with notices instructing motorists to remove their cars before they do. About a dozen vehicles have been cited for illegal parking in the facility known as the Gravel Lot.
The lot sits adjacent to the Theodore Eric Moorehead Marine Facility across the road from the municipal tennis court. It was created in 2006 as a regulated parking area. Written warnings for motorists to retrieve their property first appeared in mid-May.
Some tagged vehicles appear in good condition; others have foliage growing through the windows and hoods. One has a “For Sale” sign mounted in the windshield.
Since then, additional cars and pickup trucks have had written advisories taped to their windshields.
Port Authority communications officer Monifa Marrero-Brathwaite says the agency plans to start removing tagged cars and trucks at the end of June. “VIPA is cleaning up the Gravel Lot and tagging derelict vehicles in hopes that the owners will remove them. We will issue a public notice before we remove them from the lot,” Marrero-Brathwaite said.
The message appeared to be reaching the public; an orange passenger car with the notice still attached was seen near Coral Bay Supply store on Route 10 about a week ago.
VIPA’s planned enforcement within days of the scheduled closing of the Cruz Bay Parking Lot at the foot of St. John Government House at the Battery. That closure is expected to take place early next week.
“ … the parking lot adjacent to the U.S. Customs facility in Cruz Bay, St. John, will be closed for public parking beginning Tuesday, June 16, 2026. This parking lot will be transformed into the St. John Celebration Village,” the announcement said. “After the Celebration ends on July 4th, the Village booths will be dismantled, and VIPA will clean, paint, and re-stripe the parking lot. The lot will reopen for public parking on Saturday, July 18.”
Enforcement of parking regulations also comes at a time when other VIPA facilities are stepping up enforcement. Motorists on St. Thomas were recently warned against parking in areas near the Crown Bay Cargo Port.
“Starting June 1, 2026, VIPA police officers will boot or tow any vehicles or equipment that violate the posted no-parking signs along the road. The boot removal and recovery fee will be $500 per vehicle or piece of equipment,” read a statement issued May 24.
