The Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, USVI. By. ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
The Governing Board of the V.I. Port Authority took steps at last week’s meeting to progress several initiatives across its marine and aviation divisions.
On the marine side, board members approved negotiating an expansion of Priority Road Services' lease for cargo handling facilities at the Wilfred "Bomba" Allick container port on St. Thomas. The new agreement would provide over 100,000 additional square feet for non-exclusive shipping services and hazardous materials storage.
The board also granted a renewal of Aquatic Car Rentals' lease for counter space at the Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal in Red Hook, St. Thomas. The 3-year lease with a 2-year option extension will allow the company to continue providing ferry ticketing services between the U.S. and British Virgin Islands from the site.
Several construction-related task orders were also issued during last Wednesday’s meeting, including the approval of a proposal by engineering firm Stantec to conduct airfield surveys, design work, and procurement documents, in the not-to-exceed amount of $295,230. This will support the FAA-mandated airfield marking project at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. Contractors will now mobilize to begin the work in April, board members learned.
The governing board also approved a master service agreement with Michael Baker International. The firm will provide construction cost estimating services and independent technical reviews on an ongoing basis for VIPA, said Procurement and Contracts Manager Kate Davis. The agreement will run for an initial period of three years, with an option to renew for two additional one-year periods. The company’s services will be commissioned on a task order basis.
The board additionally approved spending just over $149,000 to have a contractor relocate a historic shipwreck in Charlotte Amalie Harbor prior to upcoming dredging work. Proper preservation of cultural resources is required for the port to obtain necessary permits from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Change orders were also accepted for ongoing projects including conducting additional electrical work and drainage upgrades at the Passenger Transportation Center and parking garage at the Cyril K. King Airport.
