VIPA Begins Territory-Wide Cleanup of Port Properties

Boynes Dock renovations are underway on St. John.

Sprucing up port properties is high on the list of the Virgin Islands Port Authority’s priorities. An unsightly, temporary dumpsite, below Sarah Hill and adjacent to the Cyril E. King Airport, has been cleaned. The area was used by several agencies to store hurricane debris and continues to be used as a dumpsite long after the initial cleanup was done. VIPA will post signs and closely monitor the area to prohibit future dumping. Port Authority police have also started tagging and removing derelict vehicles and equipment around King Airport and its adjacent properties in Bournefield.

The Edward W. Blyden IV Marine Terminal in Charlotte Amalie will soon sport a fresh coat of paint. The caretakers of VIPA’s marine facilities started pressure washing the terminal this weekend and will complete painting the building within the next two weeks.

Sarah Hill adjacent to Cyril E. King Airport before it was cleaned up.

On St. John, VIPA’s maintenance employees are removing the damaged floor tiles at the Loredon L. Boynes Sr. Dock. Some of the seating has been temporarily removed during the renovation. The shutters on the terminal building will also be replaced. The work should be completed in the next two weeks.

Cleanup of the parking lot at the Theovald Moorehead Dock and Terminal at Enighed Pond, St. John, has also begun. The fencing is being replaced, and derelict cars will be removed from the lot. VIPA will eventually convert the lot to a paid parking area.

The V.I. Port Authority plans to give a facelift to the existing cargo warehouse at the Gallows Bay Marine Facility on St. Croix to enhance the aesthetics of the area. The fencing will also be replaced. A new passenger terminal is under construction and is expected to be completed by October 2019.

New Gallows Bay Dock Passenger Terminal on St. Croix is in need of repairs.

“Our ports are the gateways to the territory. It is imperative that they are clean and aesthetically pleasing to travelers and our tenants that use our facilities to conduct business,” said VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe, who thanks the public for its patience as the agency works to improve its facilities.