The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources has announced the final allocation of $3.2 million in historic recovery grants under the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office (VISHPO). These grants target National Register Historic Sites across the U.S. Virgin Islands that were damaged during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
This funding, provided through the United States Department of the Interior’s National Park Service Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund, will support extensive repair efforts. DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol expressed his delight over the completion of this phase of the recovery initiative. “The additional time granted by federal funding ensures the successful completion of all recovery repairs,” he remarked, referencing the September passage of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act 2025, which extended funding until December 30, 2026.
The final round of grants will support 20 distinct projects across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, with repair efforts ranging from roof and exterior restorations to reimbursement for completed works. The allocation includes contributions to sites such as the Friedensthal Moravian Church in Christiansted ($200,000), the Guirty House in Charlotte Amalie ($172,205), and DPNR’s New Headquarters in Subbase District ($1,074,279).
Some of the key projects include:
- Queen Street 35, 36 & 37A, Frederiksted: Exterior repairs amounting to $86,744.45.
- Friedensthal Moravian Church, Christiansted: Exterior repairs totaling $200,000.
- Hospital Street 38, Frederiksted: Roof and exterior repairs estimated at $159,139.
- Hill Street 5, Christiansted: Roof and exterior repairs funded with $194,100.
- St. John’s Episcopal Church, Christiansted: Reimbursement for exterior repairs costing $143,501.69.
- A&B King 18 Cross Street, Christiansted: Exterior repairs valued at $177,339.40.
- Commandant Gade 11 OV, Charlotte Amalie: Roof and exterior repairs allocated $88,550.
- DPNR New Headquarters, Subbase District: Reimbursement and planning costs totaling $1,074,279.
Collaboration with the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority-Enterprise Zone Commission (VIEDA-EZC) has been crucial, with the commission providing construction services for several recovery projects within designated Historic Districts and Enterprise Zones.
Mr. Oriol highlighted the importance of the recovery effort, noting that the funding addresses both structural repairs and the protection of cultural heritage throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.
