Senator Avery Lewis has called on the new management team of Lovenlund Apartments on St. Thomas and Calabash Boom on St. John to address what he described as long-standing and unacceptable living conditions that continue to frustrate tenants. In a letter dated August 27, 2025, to Clifford Graham, a partner at Jackson Developmental Company, and in comments to the Consortium, Lewis urged transparency, communication, and immediate repairs to restore livable conditions for residents.
Lewis acknowledged the company’s recent assumption of management responsibilities, thanking them for taking on the challenge but also making clear that the situation demands swift action. “Your involvement brings a renewed sense of hope for positive change,” he wrote in the letter. “At the same time, I am reaching out on behalf of the tenants who have consistently expressed serious concerns about the conditions at these properties. The situation is urgent and requires immediate attention.”
Residents, according to the senator, have long reported issues that directly affect health, safety, and quality of life. These include broken windows left unrepaired, apartments flooding during every storm—including Tropical Storm Erin earlier this month —poor ventilation that leaves units unbearably hot, and maintenance requests that are not addressed in a timely manner.
In his interview, Lewis added further details, saying residents continue to deal with flooding whenever it rains, inoperable windows, and overgrown grass and brush surrounding the complexes. He noted that some of these problems date back to the devastating storms of 2017 and 2018, and were worsened again during Tropical Storm Erin.
Tenants have also raised complaints about inconsistent office hours and poor communication from management, as well as rising rental costs. Lewis said constituents contacted his office with reports of errors and inconsistencies in the online rent payment system while their living conditions continue to decline.
According to the senator, his office has received between seven and eight direct calls in the past few days regarding the problems. He also noted seeing similar complaints shared on social media. “Somebody said, call Senator Lewis, he could get it done. I jumped on the horn immediately,” Lewis said during the interview.
Lewis said he had already spoken directly with Graham, who assured him that the company was addressing the issues and had a plan in place.
According to Lewis, Graham mentioned that improvements should begin to be visible in St. Thomas by November, and in St. John by late September or early October. Still, Lewis stressed that verbal commitments alone were not enough. “Verbal conversations sometimes don’t carry no weight, so I had to put it in writing,” he said.
In his letter, Lewis called for a detailed plan outlining the improvements Jackson Development intends to make, along with a clear timeline for implementation. He said tenants want reassurance that their long-standing concerns are finally being addressed. The senator also pressed for a preventative maintenance plan and reliable channels of communication so that residents can stay informed and have their issues promptly resolved.
“The people of the Virgin Islands deserve safe, affordable, and dignified housing, and it is imperative that the management of these properties reflects that standard,” Lewis wrote.
During his conversation with the Consortium, Lewis underscored his commitment to keep pressing the issue until conditions improve. “If it’s one person listening, it’s Senator Avery Lewis, yes, and if it’s one person working on their behalf, it’s me. I can’t speak for no one else, but I know I’m going to do my best,” he said.
British Caribbean News
