Bryan-Roach Recovery Efforts Take Another Leap Forward With Ribbon-Cutting at Magens Junction II on St. Thomas

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Bryan-Roach Administration’s recovery efforts throughout the Territory took another major step forward with Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at Magens Junction II affordable housing community on St. Thomas, which Governor Albert Bryan Jr. heralded as a cornerstone of the administration’s efforts to increase housing availability across the U.S. Virgin Islands and grow the Territory’s population to strengthen economic stability.

The 9-story hurricane-hardened building has 30 one-bedroom/one bath units and 30 two-bedroom/two bath units, as well as a ground floor fitness center, community room and library, and it complements the 48-unit Magens Junction I, which opened in 2018 and is at full capacity.

“Our people are getting workforce affordable housing provided at the highest quality,” Governor Bryan said during his remarks at the ribbon-cutting on Wednesday morning, November 3. “We are investing to build and to bring people back.

Governor Bryan and others offer a toast to Magens Junction II with VIHFA Executive Director Daryl Griffith, left, and Jackson Development partners Clifford Graham and Bob Jackson, center.

“During this time, it must be our quest to grow our population, and we can’t grow it without housing,” the Governor said. “Not every Virgin Islander will be able own a home; that’s a pipedream. But everyone will have living quality of life like we’re seeing here today with this fabulous new development here at Magens Bay.”

“Building a new generation of leadership, homeowners and business entrepreneurs, a generation of professionals and college-educated people is a strategic initiative of the Bryan-Roach Administration,” Governor Bryan said. “It’s about taking a look at ourselves and saying we deserve better. We deserve to live like the best of them and if this is to be paradise, it has to be paradise for Virgin Islanders.”

Each of the new units has parking, ceiling fans in each bedroom and living room, a large balcony, ceramic tile floors and showers, dishwasher and garbage disposal and a dual kitchen sink, and all windows, including sliding glass doors are impact-rated for windstorms, meeting the Miami-Dade Code.

The building, which was financed through federal housing tax credits and is served by two elevators, is energy independent, with a microgrid that uses high-efficiency, low-emission microturbines, solar panels and battery storage, which the Governor said is another cornerstone of the administration’s long-range plans.

“The energy revolution in the Virgin Islands is real. We are getting off the grid, and in the coming months we’ll be announcing all kinds of new projects to help you get off the grid, too,” Governor Bryan said. “Energy independence for each individual has to be part of our future in this here Virgin Islands without a doubt.”

Governor Bryan also thanked Bob Jackson, CEO of the Jackson Development Company, which built the Magens Junction community, as well as Bellevue and Calabash Boom on St. John and Anna’s Hope on St. Croix The Governor also highlighted the public-private partnership between Jackson Development Company, the Government of the Virgin Islands, The V.I. Housing Finance Authority and 20 local contractors that brought the affordable housing community to fruition.

The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov