
Selective Enforcement”: Senators Criticize Procurement Over High Rent in WSTA Lease Proposal
- Nelcia Charlemagne
- May 24, 2025
A new lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and PEO Productions, LLC d/b/a WSTA Radio for several portions of property in the Sub Base area of St. Thomas was held in the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance on Friday. Lawmakers argued that the rental fee for the property was too high. Details of Bill 36-0089 were provided by Department of Property & Procurement Assistant Commissioner Vincent Richard. The twenty-year lease comes at an annual rental cost of $30,000, payable in monthly installments of $2,500. Additionally, Mr. Richard explained that “in the event PEO assigns or transfers this lease agreement to another entity, the assignee shall pay the Department of Property and Procurement an annual rent of $90,000.” “The property that the lessee is on is a very valuable piece of property. There's going to be significant investments around and in the Sub-Base area,” Mr. Richards explained. He stated that the GVI has “been supportive of this organiz...