Community Center

Frederiksted Pier Will Not Reopen to Public Fishing, VIPA Says as Waterfront Debate Intensifies

The Frederiksted Pier “will not be accessible like in the past,” according to Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe, who told the Consortium Wednesday morning that liability concerns and changing conditions make a return to unrestricted public fishing and swimming unlikely. “The pier will not be accessible like in the past,” Dowe said. “Too many liabilities... people drowning... it can't just be open... things are not how they used to be.” Dowe’s remarks came one day after a tense community meeting about the Frederiksted Waterfront Master Plan, where residents repeatedly demanded the return of public access to the pier for fishing, walking, and recreation. What the Meeting Was Actually About According to Dowe, the meeting “had more to do with getting input from the public [regarding] the development of the pier.... $5 million appropriation to at least start the work including design — which is already done conceptually — and some construction.” He added tha...