|
Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls provided an update today of some eagerly anticipated construction projects are moving forward on schedule. The most notable of the projects are renovations at Franklin Powell Park in Cruz Bay, where crews are working to beautify the park and enhance amenities in time for St. John’s Carnival in early July.
“Franklin Powell Park is the gateway to St. John, and when this project is complete, the park will be a far more attractive and functional place to congregate and spend leisurely time,” Smalls said.
The park has been closed to the public since construction began earlier this year, but provisions are in place to avoid disrupting the public’s access to nearby businesses. Crews are landscaping the park, installing new benches and an underground electricity system for new lighting. Apex Construction is the contractor on the $336,000 project.
Public Works and the Virgin Islands Port Authority are overseeing completion of a parking lot in the Enighed Pond area. Some work remains before the entire lot is ready to enter service, including solving a drainage issue, but Smalls said the lot will be partially opened in the coming days to ease parking conditions in the area.
Crews are also working across the island to identify roads in need of restoration and striping after last year's rain storms caused several landslides along Centerline Road and other parts of St. John. Public Works officials are cooperating with the Federal Highway Administration to facilitate the upgrades. So far, $1 million in repairs have been identified that will quality for federal Emergency Relief Funding.
Smalls said Public Works is hoping to obtain the federal funds as quickly as possible so repairs can commence before this year's rainy season begins. The priority is to make sure all roads on St. John are passable in case of an emergency, Smalls said.
|
