Ongoing demolition work at the Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas. Photo Credit: OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY
The V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery, in partnership with the V.I. Department of Education, has officially launched Phase I of the Charlotte Amalie High School demolition project. This marks the first major school reconstruction initiative on St. Thomas under the Rebuild USVI initiative.
The demolition is being managed by ODR’s SuperPMO, with Grade-All Heavy Equipment, Inc. as the contractor. The company has already mobilized on-site, setting up essential infrastructure such as a trailer and security fencing, and clearing an access road to minimize disruption during the demolition process, according to ODR. Limited demolition activities have commenced, primarily clearing the areas between buildings to establish connected access roads.
ODR said the demolition will begin with Building C, located on the north end of the property, followed by Building B and then Building A. The designated demolition area has been safely separated from the active school campus and the surrounding community. Site access will be facilitated from Polyberg Drive on the west end of the property.
To mitigate potential hazards, Grade-All Heavy Equipment, Inc. has implemented rigorous dust control and safety measures. This includes continuous water spraying on active work areas, securing materials during transport, and maintaining clean paved roads to prevent project-related debris or spills. Additionally, an on-site archaeologist is present to ensure compliance with federal requirements. The project is being closely monitored by the SuperPMO, VIDE, and designated representatives to ensure adherence to safety protocols and scheduling commitments.
“This project is being led by ODR’s SuperPMO under the Rebuild USVI initiative," said ODR Director Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien. "Dust control and safety measures are in place, and the archaeologist is onsite to comply with federal requirements. All the pieces are in place to launch the first major school reconstruction project on St. Thomas.”
VIDE Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington echoed this sentiment, noting, “This is progress, and we are excited to share the start of the project’s first phase. We are working closely with the SuperPMO and Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance to bring the territory’s vision for new schools to reality.”
The design-build contract for the project has been awarded to Consigli/Benton Joint Venture, which will finalize architectural designs and prepare detailed scopes for Phase II demolition and the eventual reconstruction of the new Charlotte Amalie High School.
