The current Charles Harwood Complex will be demolished to make way for a new, modern facility.
The V.I. Dept. of Health announced on Wednesday that the demolition of the Charles Harwood Memorial Complex will commence on Monday, April 24.
Lemartec USVI, the company contracted for the demolition, completed the initial phase of the project earlier this month, which included asbestos and lead-containing materials removal, and clearing structures on site, D.O.H. said. The demolition will be carried out in three phases and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023.
To minimize disruptions for local schools, businesses, and traffic, work will take place between 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. Rosalinda Browne, disaster recovery specialist for the V.I. Department of Health, emphasized that safety is the top priority, with extensive measures taken to ensure the safety of staff and community members during the demolition process.
Lemartec USVI's Senior Project Manager, Casey McIntyre, stated that mitigation measures are in place for dust, noise, and water runoff, including privacy and dust screens, a water dust suppression machine, and wind direction monitoring. The company has also developed a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and will use best management practices for storm drain sediment covers and track-out prevention.
The Charles Harwood Memorial Complex was severely damaged during the 2017 hurricanes and deemed replaceable by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. D.O.H. Assistant Commissioner Reuben Molloy expressed gratitude for the nearly $300 million FEMA award, which he said will enable new construction to meet current codes and standards.
Office of Disaster Recovery Director, Adrienne Octalien-Williams, commented on the important milestone. “This was one of the very first projects that was deemed eligible for replacement,” she said. “Replacement means we get to build brand new, to create a design and a structure that will stand the test of time, and address some of the issues we see with climate change, stronger storms and overall, more challenges to our buildings.”
Before the demolition begins, the St. Croix community is invited to take final personal photos at the Charles Harwood Memorial Complex sign on April 17th or 18th. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion encouraged residents to remember the past and look forward to the future as the photos are taken.
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