The St. Croix Committee of the V.I. Coastal Zone Management Commission held a public hearing Tuesday evening to review application CZM0022-25 for the Alexander Theater Safe Room Project — a plan to restore and harden the historic theater in Christiansted to FEMA safe room standards.

The project, led by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, includes new construction of a two-story, L-shaped addition to house a lobby, classrooms, offices, two restaurants, a generator and pump room, and storage areas. A third-floor utility penthouse will contain air-conditioning equipment in a reinforced structure for storm protection, along with a large cistern for water storage and fire suppression.

The Alexander Theater, located in the heart of what is known as Sunday Market Square in Christiansted, represents another step in the ongoing revitalization of the town’s historic core. Under the direction of the St. Croix Foundation, the theater received partial FEMA funding in 2019 for renovation and retrofit work to transform it into a state-of-the-art performing arts center.

According to the foundation, the theater was originally built in 1954 by Joseph Alexander to promote culture and economic activity in the Virgin Islands. Once a lively movie house and gathering place, it has sat in disrepair for more than two decades. The surrounding square— once a Sunday market where enslaved people traded goods and families gathered — has long lost its vibrancy and now serves mostly as a roadway for passing traffic. The new project aims to restore that sense of community while also providing a critical emergency shelter and modern civic space.

Representing the St. Croix Foundation were Vice President of Programs and Properties Haley Cutler, architect Gerville Larsen of Taller Larjas LLC, and environmental engineer Kiora Viera of Tysam Tech LLC. The team presented updated site plans and design features, fielding questions from commissioners on topics including traffic flow, drainage, parking, fire safety, and environmental impact. “This is a major project for downtown Christiansted,” said Commissioner Kai Nielsen. “It has the potential to breathe life into the area, but we have to make sure we get it right — especially in terms of traffic control and community accessibility.”

The proposed structure, located on Company Street behind the Steeple Building, will serve both as a performing arts venue and a certified FEMA safe room capable of sheltering up to 600 people during disasters. The three-story complex will include a multipurpose theater, classrooms, meeting spaces, and a rooftop community garden for food production and education.

Larsen emphasized that the design blends historic preservation with modern resilience, incorporating reinforced storm-safe construction, a rainwater cistern system for both potable water and fire suppression, and multiple exits for safe evacuation. “We’re working to make this not just a cultural hub, but a model for sustainable development in historic towns,” Larsen said. “It’s designed to honor the character of Christiansted while introducing innovative systems for energy efficiency, water reuse, and community engagement.”

Nielsen and other committee members raised concerns about traffic management during construction and operation, especially along Company Street and nearby access routes. CZM member May Adams Cornwall stressed the need for detours and public notifications once work begins. “People rely on certain routes daily,” she said. “We have to make sure communication is clear so no one’s left frustrated or caught off guard.”

Parking was another key topic. With a maximum occupancy exceeding 350 seats, the current design provides about 70 parking spaces. Larsen explained that the project’s plan includes shared parking agreements with nearby lots owned by the St. Croix Foundation, the African Moravian Church, and surrounding public spaces.

Committee members also urged the design team to ensure proper drainage and runoff management, given the site’s slope from King Street toward Company Street. Recommendations included underground graywater cisterns beneath the parking area and green planters to absorb rainwater. Other sustainable design ideas, such as moss-based concrete surfaces to reduce heat absorption, were also discussed.

Fire safety remained a priority for the commission. Members requested confirmation that the fire department had reviewed evacuation routes and shelter procedures for a 600-person capacity. Larsen assured the committee that multiple exits, alarm systems, and fire safety features were incorporated and that consultations with the fire service are part of the final design phase.

Cutler also provided an update on project funding. She said that while the initial application for Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery funds was not approved for Phase One, the project has since been redirected to the CDBG-MIT Mitigation program for Phase Two construction. “We’re in ongoing communication with CDBG-MIT officials,” Cutler said. “Our revised application is under review, and we’ve made the clarifications they requested. We’re optimistic that approval will move forward soon.”

Throughout the session, committee members praised the project’s cultural and educational potential, with several expressing support for its vision and purpose. “It’s a beautiful concept that preserves history while serving modern needs,” said Assistant Director Gregory Richards. “We just want to ensure it functions smoothly for the people who’ll rely on it.” The public has seven days to submit written comments on the proposal, and the final decision meeting is expected to be held in about 30 days.