Development

Bryan Laments Inaction on Derelict Buildings, Says VI Has Chosen to Do Nothing

A side discussion about real estate during Wednesday’s meeting of the Public Finance Authority provided Governor Albert Bryan Jr. a platform to express his disappointment with the lack of forward movement on one of his major initiatives.  Board member Keith O’Neale began the brief diversion from the day’s business by noting the existence of several abandoned buildings occupying prime real estate in St. Croix’s historical towns. "One of the main streets that goes into Frederiksted” sits “a building that’s so old, the roof is collapsing in on itself,” Mr. O’Neale said. “Where does eminent domain come in?” he wondered. “Where can the government step in and say…for the public good, we’re going to takeover this building, fix it up and use it for something?” Governor Bryan, whose much-touted draft legislation to deal with abandoned and derelict buildings in the territory was pre-empted by legislators who instead formed a sub-committee to tackle the issue, responded to Mr. O’Neale’s query w...