Senator Marvin A. Blyden, Chairman of the Committee on Housing, is pleased to announce the USVI Innovative Housing Construction Summit, taking place Thursday, Oct. 23 on St. Thomas at the UVI Innovation Center, and Friday, Oct. 24 on St. Croix at the UVI Great Hall.

The summit, held in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of REALTORS® (VITAR), will highlight groundbreaking ways to reduce home construction costs by 40–50% while maintaining strength, safety, and quality. Attendees will learn about new building technologies that have the potential to transform construction practices across the U.S. Virgin Islands, and they will engage in critically important discussions about implementing them more broadly in the territory.

This landmark event will feature vendors and industry leaders traveling from as far as Canada and as near as Puerto Rico, showcasing a range of affordable, cutting-edge construction solutions tailored for island environments. Contractors, homeowners, and policymakers will explore practical approaches to reducing costs, improving resilience, and accelerating homeownership throughout the territory.

“This summit represents a major step toward addressing the high cost of home construction in the Virgin Islands,” said Senator Blyden. “By embracing innovation, we can help families build stronger, more affordable homes and secure a better future for our residents and Territory as a whole.”

Why You Should Attend

• Learn how to cut construction costs by nearly half

• Explore revolutionary building technologies designed for Caribbean climates

• Network with local, regional, and international experts and vendors

• Gain practical insights into affordable, sustainable housing solutions

Registration is encouraged. For event details and registration, visit www.usviinnovativeconstruction.com.

Follow the official Facebook page and YouTube Channel: facebook.com/usviinnovativeconstruction for updates

About the USVI Innovative Housing Construction Summit

The USVI Innovative Housing Construction Summit is a collaborative initiative between the public and private sectors to identify and promote new methods for building affordable, resilient homes in the Virgin Islands. The summit’s mission is to empower residents, contractors, and policymakers to embrace modern technologies that make homeownership achievable and sustainable for all U.S. Virgin Islanders

The Virgin Islands Department of Public Works advises the public of an upcoming road closure on RT 70 (Centerline Road) on St. Croix.

DPW contractor — VI Paving, Inc. — will be replacing a historic box culvert to improve drainage in the area. These culverts are essential for directing stormwater away from the roadway to prevent flooding and erosion. As a

result, Centerline Road will be closed to vehicular traffic between the intersections of Williams Delight and Carlton from Monday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, November 30.

The Department of Public Works appreciates the community’s patience as it works to improve road conditions throughout the territory.