ST. THOMAS — On Tuesday, the St. Thomas Committee of the Historical Preservation Commission (HPC) convened in a lively session, where the excitement over the opening of a new Adidas store was juxtaposed with concerns over converting a historical site into a parking lot.
Mr. Krigger, the acting director of the VI State Historical Preservation Office (VISPHO), showed enthusiasm for the application – HPC-30-2023 – relating to the Adidas store set to open on Dronningens Gade 24. The committee greenlit the store's signage request, including an allowance for the sign to be backlit. However, Mr. Rodriguez added a word of caution, reminding that any security firm working for the Adidas store would need HPC's nod before placing promotional signage on windows or shutters.
The concluding application, HPC-7-2023, proved to be a major point of contention. The request aimed at partially demolishing and renovating the structures at Curacao Gade 9 &10. David Knight, a committee member, voiced strong reservations, lamenting the potential loss of heritage in the pursuit of development. “This is a historical site,” Mr. Knight pointed out, expressing his dismay over the focus on economic benefits over historical preservation. The conversation around converting the site into a parking garage with space for around 40 vehicles elicited particular concern. Many committee members found the idea of using a historic site as a parking garage "completely tasteless," but some acknowledged it might be a temporary solution to preserve the site's architectural components. The committee deferred the final decision on this application for further deliberation.
Amidst these prominent discussions, the committee reviewed and decided on several other applications. Notable among them was the decision to approve various requests related to the rehabilitation of damages from the 2017 hurricanes. HPC members voted unanimously in favor of applications such as HPC-33-2023, which dealt with a home severely damaged during the hurricanes. Another notable mention was HPC-31-2023, concerning a structure in Kongensgade belonging to Bernice Peterson Jackson. Both these applications and more come under the supervision of VISPHO.
The discussion about signage took an interesting turn when Brent Pilton of the Pink Palm Hotel requested permission for a particular sign design. The committee had reservations about Mr. Pilton's proposed placement and design. After a detailed conversation around the regulations and aesthetics, a compromise was reached regarding the sign's size and placement.
Another highlight was the committee's unanimous support for the rehabilitation project of the Emmaus Moravian Church and Manse, as presented by Samuel Rhymer, a representative of the Moravian Church. The team expressed their eagerness to restore the building's beauty.
Additionally, the removal of a dying mahogany tree in the Educators Park sparked debate due to the tree being a heritage species for the Virgin Islands. Despite some opposition, the committee decided to keep the tree.
As the session wrapped up, the HPC members agreed to reconvene on August 24.
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