Secret plans unveiled for 'Palm Grove Centre' Land
However, over the years, the shopping Centre—which sat on prime real estate—saw many of its tenants complain about the presence of asbestos, a substance known to cause inflammation, scarring and eventually genetic damage to the body’s cells.
During the 2017 Hurricanes that ravaged the Virgin Islands (VI), the Shopping Centre was one to take a massive hit with some 90 per cent of all buildings in the area being destroyed.
Owing to its derelict and ‘unsafe’ state, the Government through the Wickhams Cay Authority and the City Manager officially moved to demolish the structure.
Current Status
It was during the fourth sitting, fourth session, of the third House of Assembly (HoA), that Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), moved the know what was the status of the now vacant land.
With much speculation as to what would replace the structure—that was once a hub of local business activity for the community—the Opposition Leader also inquired about what current agreement has been made for the return of the lessees.
“Madam Speaker, would the Premier and Minister of Finance please inform this Honourable House in full detail of his government’s plans for the currently vacant spot which once was the location for the Palm Grove Plaza?” he asked.
It was then, that Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), in acceding to the inquiries, unveiled that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government will be moving to construct another commercial building at the spot.
Secret Project?
“Madam Speaker, it is my Government’s intention to reconstruct a building in the spot that was once Palm Grove Centre, and a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the re-development has been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers for vetting in that regard,” the premier unveiled.
He also revealed that the current leases have been suspended and the leaseholders have been informed that they will have first right of tenancy in the new facility once constructed, however, no details about timeline or the projected cost of the building was presented to the House.
“The current leaseholders have been apprised of the situation and we intend to involve them as much as possible in the reconstruction of the space,” the Premier notes.
“As such, meetings have been held with the leaseholders and the RFP will be shared with the leaseholders once it is received from the Chambers,” he said.
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