St. Thomas Cricket, L.J. Auto and Paradise Paws Leases Advance; Rent Conflict to Be Corrected

ST. THOMAS — Three leases involving government-owned property advanced from the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on Monday, including a long-term agreement intended to give cricket a permanent home, a lease for an auto repair business and additional renewal options for a K-9 boarding and training facility. The Paradise Paws measure advanced despite conflicting testimony over whether the company’s annual rent is $21,208.02 or $48,000. Committee Chairman Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. said amendments would be prepared before the bill reaches its final legislative stage. Cricket Association Seeks Permanent Home  Bill 36-0293 would authorize a lease between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the St. Thomas Cricket Association Inc. for Parcel N-2 of Tract 1, Estate Nazareth. The 312,150.96-square-foot property would be used to develop cricket in the St. Thomas-St. John District. The initial lease term is 30 years, with options for two additional 10-year periods. ...