VIPA Extends Petite Pump Room Lease Through 2035, Approves Airport Cleaning and Port Contracts

The V.I. Port Authority governing board on Wednesday approved a five-year lease extension for Petite Pump Room, a long-running restaurant and bar at the Edward W. Blyden IV Marine Terminal, while board members also advanced a supplemental cleaning contract for Cyril E. King Airport and several marine-related agreements affecting cargo operations, port maintenance and capital projects. The Petite Pump Room amendment drew some of the most pointed discussion during the meeting, not because of opposition to the lease, but because of the establishment’s decades-long connection to VIPA and its role as one of the authority’s legacy tenants. VIPA staff said Petite Pump Room has been associated with the authority since 1982 and has maintained continuous operations under its current lease framework since 2012. The board approved an amendment extending the lease term through May 31, 2035, with a five-year option that would run from June 1, 2035, to May 31, 2040. Under the amended lease, VIPA w...