Lawmakers Press VIPA as Airport P3 Negotiations Stretch Into Another Year

The proposed public-private partnership between the V.I. Port Authority and SkyCity to redevelop the territory’s airports remains in negotiations, with no firm completion date — prompting growing concern from lawmakers over the pace of progress. The issue surfaced during a recent meeting of the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, where three members of the VIPA Governing Board were seeking reappointment. Senator Milton Potter used the opportunity to question the timeline of the long-discussed P3 initiative. “It seems like this P3 initiative has been in negotiation status forever,” Sen. Potter said. “I don't know if it's just my perception, or if this is reality,” he continued, asking board members for clarity on where matters stand. According to the senator, the local community “embraced it wholeheartedly because of the things that will come with it,” referencing promised airport upgrades, including sky bridges. “Is there a time certain that we are going to see this matter finally co...