Backed by a $10 million federal investment, the Virgin Islands Historic Building Recovery Program has already restored more than 45 hurricane-damaged historic buildings across the U.S. Virgin Islands, with dozens more projects in progress.
Following the widespread damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria, Congress and former President Biden appropriated $50 million through the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund, which the National Park Service administers. The fund was created to support historic preservation efforts in FEMA-declared disaster zones.
Of the $50 million, just over $10 million was awarded to the Virgin Islands.
The VIHBRP is managed by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Office. So far, the program has supported the rehabilitation of historic buildings all across the territory.
Traditionally, the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund reimburses property owners after repairs are completed according to predetermined preservation standards. However, according to VISHPO Director and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Sean Krigger, most residents didn’t have the means to cover renovation costs while waiting for reimbursement.
“Most of the people that really got the major impacts — they just simply couldn’t afford to do the repairs on their own,” Krigger said. “We lobbied and worked with the National Park Service to get approval so that we could pay for repairs up front… once we achieved that approval, we were then able to make a positive impact in helping projects.”
After this adjustment, the $10 million awarded to the U.S. Virgin Islands from the fund was distributed into two government projects: the rehabilitation of Government House in Charlotte Amalie and the DPNR Submarine Base building, each receiving $1 million for rehabilitation. About $2 million supported staffing and administrative costs, and more than $7 million was directed toward historic building restoration and repair projects.
Projects have included roof and gutter repairs, structural reinforcements, historic shutter restorations, and repainting across many historic locations throughout Christiansted, Frederiksted, Cruz Bay, and Charlotte Amalie.
Krigger said the office hopes the program will result in lasting improvements throughout historic districts in the territory.
“What we are hoping to achieve with this project is that we will have a visual impact on our historic towns for improvements,” Krigger said. “We’re wanting to improve not just buildings, but streetscapes – bringing vitality back to our communities – and I’m happy to say that we’re getting that done.”
Krigger emphasized that the program’s success is due to collaboration between government agencies, contractors, and community partners.
“It’s a team effort,” Krigger said. “We are thankful for the support.”
St. Croix Source
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