The V.I. Department of Planning & Natural Resources is set to take a pivotal step in engaging public feedback on the future land and water use across the islands.
DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol has announced a series of upcoming Town Hall meetings aimed at unveiling 2-dimensional sketches that offer a glimpse into potential future developments across the islands.
“In July, the public helped us to set policies for how we want to develop and protect our land with the Comp Plan,” explained Mr. Oriol. “We took those policies and created 2-dimensional sketches of what change might look like if applied to well-known areas on each island. In November, we will be hosting our third town hall meeting, where visualizations will be presented showing mixed-use development, green infrastructure, and greater walkability. These are not development proposals, but images that show what the future could bring with these policies. We invite the community to view the sketches and let us know what they think.”
The public is encouraged to attend the Town Halls to review the sketches that include notable areas:
- St. Croix: Sunny Isles & Five Corners
- St. Thomas: Tutu Park Mall & Emile Milo Francis Memorial Drive (Smith Bay)
- St. John: Coral Bay & Centerline Road (Susannaberg)
Each session will feature a detailed presentation of the sketches, followed by a Q&A segment and interactive discussions. DPNR staff and consultants will be on hand to field questions and facilitate dialogue.
The Town Hall schedule is as follows:
- St. Croix: Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at UVI Great Hall from 5:30-7:30 PM
- St. Thomas: Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Columban Hall, Holy Family Church from 5:30-7:30 PM
- St. John: Monday, November 13, 2023, at the Sprung Structure in Coral Bay (adjacent to the Fire Station) from 5:30-7:30 PM
DPNR said that its aims for these meetings to be a platform for active community engagement, with all materials and feedback to be incorporated into the planning process. The sessions will also be complemented with light refreshments for attendees.
For those unable to attend in person, the visualizations and materials will be accessible online at www.PlanUSVI.com. The website also hosts videos and summaries from previous Town Halls and provides an avenue for the community to stay informed and involved by joining the email list.
In preparation for the meetings and to foster a collaborative planning process, DPNR invites the community to view the proposed sketches and share their thoughts on the envisioned developments.
For additional information, visit the project's website at www.planusvi.com or follow the Facebook page at Planusvi.
