F’sted Waterfront Master Plan Signals New Start

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - Although some residents seemed frustrated by restrictions that continue to curtail access to fishing and swimming at the Frederiksted Pier, the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) along with several Senators felt it necessary, at the recent VIPA work session and Open House held at St. Croix's Rohlsen Airport, to emphasize the $5 million seed money provided by the Legislature was intended to eventually jumpstart waterfront improvements. 

“We really need to push development in Frederiksted,” said Senator Kenneth Gittens, who was present at the meeting with Sens. Kurt Vialet, Hubert Frederick, Novelle Francis Jr. and Clifford Joseph along with several dozen residents. “The more people that come, the more development you’re going to have,” Senator Gittens stated, as he urged residents to see the initial waterfront investment as a starting point for broader economic growth. “The recent increase in cruise ship calls to Frederiksted represents an opportunity to expand local business activity and create jobs…This is economic development. This is an opportunity for jobs.”

The Senator went on to explain that by enhancing the waterfront experience in Frederiksted it strengthens the town’s competitiveness in the Caribbean market.

Senator Vialet reiterated the point. “The funding is intended to jump-start improvements in the areas where cruise passengers arrive and spend time. The port has become a growing cruise destination. It is important to maintain that momentum…If we don’t plan this properly, somebody else will plan it for us…We need to have collaboration rather than division. This investment is meant to improve accessibility, enhance the beach area, and strengthen the visitor experience while keeping the community at the center of the process…We’re trying to build a product. But the product has to work for St. Croix.”      

Despite all the positive input provided by the esteemed Senators, some residents wondered, among themselves, why the Claire L. Roker Visitor’s Center did not have a single piece of literature or promotional material about the island inside the dedicated Frederilsted pier space, that has now been left barren for nearly a year after its dedication to Claire L. Roker, the grand lady of St. Croix.  

There was also a deep concern over access to the pier. 

“The Frederiksted Pier will not be accessible like in the past,” the VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe stated in a recent interview, emphasizing liability concerns and changing conditions that make unrestricted public swimming and fishing unlikely in the future. 

VIPA officials emphasized that the pier is classified as a restricted port facility under federal maritime security regulations. Marine Manager and Port Facility Security Officer Mervyn Constantine told the gathering that the VIPA must comply with 33 CFR 105 requirements and that failure to do so could result in serious penalties. 

“If this operation is not secured, we can get fines that are quite hefty by the U.S. Coast Guard if we are found in violation per incident, per day,” Mr. Constantine stated. “We intend to keep in full compliance.”

Mr. Dowe emphasized that the meeting, which was the first of several, had more to do with getting input from the public regarding the $5 million appropriation, monies that was meant to at least start the work, including design and some initial construction phases, inevitably aimed at strengthening the cruise product and enhancing economic activity in Frederiksted.

Consultant on the project, Scott Legueux, of Moffatt & Nichol, listened to residents question whether improvements to the pier would actually transfer over into the deteriorating conditions that earmark the look of Frederiksted’s streets, with its multitude of abandoned buildings, deteriorating infrastructure and frequent flooding within the town. 

“We are concerned whether focusing on the waterfront alone will truly revitalize Frederiksted,” said Board President of the influential organization Our Town Frederiksted, Shamori Moorehead. “I have to question whether nonprofit organizations, churches, and community groups have been sufficiently engaged early in the process.”

Civil Engineer Mojania “Moe” Denis, a Frederiksted native and member of the VIPA team, emphasized that the Master Plan represented a framework for future action and not a finished design. In closing Ms. Denis urged attendees to use the process to think creatively about solutions rather than focus on existing problems.

“We understand there are constraints,” she said. “But it’s necessary to imagine new possibilities for recreation, vendor space, cultural programming, and waterfront access with regulatory limits.”

The next community meeting to be held by the VIPA is expected to take place in Frederiksted where the conversation will continue.