U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Bryan-Roach Administration announced during today’s Government House press briefing that two major infrastructure projects will begin Monday, May 18, advancing continued revitalization efforts in Charlotte Amalie and Frederiksted town while bringing temporary traffic and pedestrian changes in both communities.
The projects include the start of demolition activities at the former Hamburg Amerika Building in downtown Charlotte Amalie to make way for the future Virgin Islands Museum of Art, along with the commencement of major road reconstruction work in Frederiksted town on St. Croix, which Department of Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel announced during the briefing.
“This project is one more piece of the Administration’s larger effort to revitalize our towns and historic districts across the Virgin Islands,” said Government House Director of Communications Richard Motta during today’s briefing. “These are not isolated projects. They are connected investments in the places that tell our story, support our small businesses, strengthen our tourism product, and improve the experience of residents and visitors alike.”
Virgin Islands Museum of Art Project Mobilization Begins on St. Thomas
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the Office of Disaster Recovery are moving forward with the phased demolition of the former Hamburg Amerika Building in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
James Benton Construction, working on behalf of the Virgin Islands Museum of Art (VIMOA), will begin initial mobilization activities on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the property located at 48B Norre Gade across from Vendors Plaza.
The first phase of work will include the installation of construction fencing and the full demolition and removal of the existing structure to prepare the site for construction of the future Virgin Islands Museum of Art and exhibit space.
The overall project is anticipated to take approximately 48 months.
Motta said the project represents an important cultural and economic investment in the heart of the Territory’s capital while supporting the Administration’s broader strategy to restore and modernize historic town districts across the Virgin Islands.
“In Charlotte Amalie, that work includes investments to modernize Old Educators Park, the 99 Steps, and the restroom facilities at the Enid M. Baa Library,” Motta said. “On St. John, it includes the Governor’s action to establish a new commercial zone in Cruz Bay as part of a broader economic revitalization effort for our historic town centers. And in Frederiksted, it includes significant investments in critical infrastructure, public spaces, parks, and recreational facilities that support the continued renewal of the town and surrounding community.”
“These investments matter,” Motta continued. “They help restore pride of place. They create conditions for private investment. They support local commerce. They preserve our history while preparing our towns for the future.”
As demolition activities begin, several temporary traffic and pedestrian changes will take effect in downtown Charlotte Amalie:
- The sidewalk on the western side of Tolbod Gade in front of the Hamburg Amerika Building will be closed to pedestrians.
- Pedestrian traffic will be redirected to the eastern side of Tolbod Gade.
- Vehicular traffic along Tolbod Gade between Veterans Drive and Norre Gade will be reduced to one northbound lane.
- The existing taxi drop-off location will be relocated to the eastern side of the Fire House on Forts Straede.
- Directional signage will be installed throughout the area to assist motorists and pedestrians.
“As this important demolition work gets underway, the public should also be aware that there will be significant changes to traffic patterns in downtown Charlotte Amalie,” Motta said. “Those changes are necessary to protect motorists, pedestrians, workers, and businesses in the area while the phased demolition of the old Hamburg building is in progress.”
Project managers stated that efforts are underway to minimize disruptions to nearby residents, businesses, and stakeholders throughout construction.
Once completed, the Virgin Islands Museum of Art project is expected to complement the planned Veterans Drive Waterfront Improvement Project and further enhance the Charlotte Amalie waterfront district experience for residents and visitors alike.
Road Reconstruction Work Set to Begin in Frederiksted
Department of Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel announced during today’s briefing that contractor Marco St. Croix Inc. will begin mobilization and road reconstruction work on Monday, May 18, in Frederiksted town on St. Croix.
Commissioner Gabriel said the project will focus on repairs and reconstruction along Strand Street, King Street, Queen Street, and a portion of Fisher Street. The scope also includes work on the bridge where Queen Street merges into King Street, just north of the Midre Almeric Cummings Recreational and Youth Facility.
The work is part of the Bryan-Roach Administration’s continued investment in Frederiksted’s infrastructure, public spaces, and overall town revitalization.
Residents and motorists should expect intermittent traffic adjustments and construction activity in the affected areas as work progresses.
Marco St. Croix Inc. is expected to release its detailed construction schedule and additional traffic advisories in the coming days.
During today’s briefing, Motta also reiterated the Administration’s call for continued action on abandoned and derelict properties across the Territory’s historic districts.
“Across our Territory, abandoned and derelict buildings continue to affect the appearance, safety, economic potential, and livability of our historic town districts,” Motta said. “They discourage investment, create hazards, and hold back the full revitalization of neighborhoods that should be thriving.”
“The Administration is making real investments in revitalization, but public investment alone cannot solve the problem if derelict properties are allowed to remain untouched year after year,” he added. “We need the tools to address them responsibly, fairly, and effectively because revitalizing our towns means more than improving one building or one park. It means restoring the full promise of our historic districts as places of culture, commerce, community, and pride for the people of the Virgin Islands.”
###
Comments are closed