The St. Thomas-St. John Historic Preservation Committee reviewed a proposal Tuesday to establish a temporary food truck plaza at Fort Christian’s East Ravlin Yard, a plan to ease congestion in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Clarence Browne, AIA, of Design District VI, presented the application, HPC-08-2025, on behalf of the Property and Procurement Department, outlining a project that would provide a designated space for food trucks, along with a shaded seating area featuring mobile benches, umbrellas, and repurposed pavers.
During the meeting, committee Acting Chair Enrique E. Rodriguez questioned whether the plaza could be relocated to the western side of the fort. Browne cited extensive research that ruled out the alternative location due to higher costs, permission issues with the adjacent museum, and safety concerns. Rodriguez also raised parking issues, referencing a previous meeting with the Public Works Department, which indicated that the proposed site along the fencing was originally intended for parking spaces. The plan, as presented, would eliminate approximately 20 parking spots, further straining downtown parking availability.
Browne assured the committee that the Property and Procurement Department had coordinated with DPW and Historic Preservation Director Sean Krigger before selecting the eastern side of the lot as the most feasible location. He emphasized that the plaza is intended as a temporary solution while other downtown projects progress.
Following discussions and amendments to the proposal, the committee approved the application with conditions. Food trucks must park in alignment with existing parking spaces, seating must remain within the fenced area, umbrellas must be red, and the gate must be lockable after business hours. Final approval remains contingent on agreement from DPW and the DPNR Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums, as well as input from a Property and Procurement representative to address any further concerns.
The committee will revisit the proposal in a future meeting as stakeholders continue working to balance historic preservation with downtown Charlotte Amalie revitalization efforts.
