U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Government House Director of Communications Richard Motta Jr. on Monday provided updates from the Bryan-Roach Administration on the upcoming Club Med groundbreaking on St. Croix, Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s call for a Special Session of the 36th Legislature to consider the revised horse racing agreement, hurricane preparedness efforts and a downtown Charlotte Amalie traffic advisory.
During the Government House weekly press briefing on Monday, July 13, Motta announced that the administration will join Club Med, VICI Properties and local stakeholders on St. Croix on Wednesday, July 15, for the first stone ceremony at the former Carambola Beach Resort.
The ceremony is essentially a groundbreaking for the new Club Med St. Croix hotel project and marks the beginning of the next chapter for one of St. Croix’s most iconic hospitality properties. The former Carambola site is being redeveloped into a premium all-inclusive resort expected to bring new jobs, business opportunities and economic activity to the island.
“This is a significant private-sector investment in St. Croix,” Motta said. “It is also a clear sign of the progress being made under the Bryan-Roach Administration to strengthen our tourism product, attract serious investors and expand economic opportunity in the Territory.”
Motta said Club Med’s return to the United States through St. Croix reflects growing confidence in the Virgin Islands as a destination for major hospitality investment.
“This milestone marks the next chapter of an iconic destination and Club Med’s thoughtful re-entry into the United States, honoring a legacy of hospitality while helping shape what comes next,” Motta said.
Government House also announced that Governor Bryan has called the 36th Legislature into Special Session on Tuesday, July 21, to consider the revised agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Southland Gaming Virgin Islands LLC.
The agreement was first transmitted to the Legislature in April. Since then, the Governor and his administration have worked with senators, horsemen associations, the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission, Southland Gaming and other stakeholders to address concerns and move the matter toward a final vote.
“There have been meetings. Concerns were raised. Recommendations were made. Changes were incorporated,” Motta said. “But at some point, the process has to move from discussion to decision.”
Motta said the Special Session will give the Legislature the opportunity to consider the revised agreement openly and provide the people of the Virgin Islands a clear answer.
“The horsemen who have kept this sport alive, the St. Croix community that has waited years for the Randall ‘Doc’ James Racetrack to be rebuilt and the people of the Virgin Islands deserve a clear answer, one way or the other,” Motta said.
He added that continued delay carries real costs, as the investor has made clear it cannot remain in a prolonged period of uncertainty and rising construction costs could make the project more difficult to deliver.
“The Governor respects the process,” Motta said. “But the Territory also needs decisions. On July 21, the Legislature will have that opportunity.”
Monday’s briefing also included hurricane preparedness updates from Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency Director Daryl Jaschen and Department of Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel. Motta said the administration will continue providing regular updates throughout hurricane season, including from Cabinet members who lead the Territory’s emergency support functions.
Government House also advised the public that Tolbad Gade in downtown Charlotte Amalie will be closed to vehicular traffic from Monday, July 13, through Sunday, July 26, as demolition work at the historic Hamburg American Building moves into its next phase.
The street, located immediately adjacent to the building and running northbound between Vendors Plaza and Post Office Square, will be closed to allow crews to safely complete the current phase of demolition.
Government House thanked motorists, vendors, pedestrians and downtown businesses for their patience and urged the public to slow down, follow posted signs and use caution around the work zone.
The demolition work is part of the larger effort to prepare the site for the future Virgin Islands Museum of Art, a cultural investment expected to bring new energy and activity to downtown Charlotte Amalie. Motta thanked James Benton Construction, the Charles Kim Foundation and Alpine Securities for their continued work and partnership on the project.
Motta also briefly noted that the Bryan-Roach Administration has issued another round of income tax refunds totaling approximately $5.4 million to about 1,632 Virgin Islands tax filers. Government House will provide additional details on the refund payments in a separate release.
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