People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) Leader Mark H. Vanterpool is calling on the Virgin Islands Government to abandon its plan to return ministries and departments to the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex and instead transform the prime Road Town property into a mixed-use commercial hub featuring a small-business mall, conference facilities and hotel accommodation. Photo: GIS/File

Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme on Monday, September 28, 2026, Vanterpool argued that moving hundreds of public officers back into the complex would create congestion, concentrate security risks and do little to stimulate economic activity in the capital after normal working hours. Photo: Facebook

Communications and Works Minister Kye M. Rymer has indicated that contracts for interior works are expected to be awarded in December 2025, with a contractor mobilised by January 2026, targeting substantial completion in the last quarter of 2026 and full commissioning by mid-2027. Photo: GIS

Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme on Monday, September 28, 2026, Vanterpool argued that moving hundreds of public officers back into the complex would create congestion, concentrate security risks, and do little to stimulate economic activity in the capital after normal working hours. 

Vanterpool outlined a vision for the Administration Building

“I would say plainly, and simply, Government should not return to the Government Administration Building,” the former Communications and Works Minister and former Fourth District Representative declared during the programme.

The businessman outlined a vision in which the ground floor of the complex would be converted into a small mall with approximately 600-square-foot incubator spaces, giving first-time entrepreneurs an affordable opportunity to establish businesses in the heart of Road Town.

He proposed converting the upper levels into conference facilities and hotel accommodation, possibly linked to Maria’s by the Sea or another existing hotel operation, to create a destination that generates foot traffic and revenue beyond the traditional 8-to-5 public service schedule.

“What you’re doing is creating economic activity in the city. Any city needs economic activity. That’s what the Administration Building should do,” Vanterpool argued.

Decentralisation and economic concerns

The complex has remained out of full operation since sustaining extensive damage during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Rehabilitation commenced in 2019, with successive completion dates being announced and later revised.

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government recently stated that it intends to return the seat of government to the building in 2027, with major interior works moving towards implementation. Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) reaffirmed this timeline during his 2026 State of the Territory address.

Communications and Works Minister Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has said taxpayers are currently incurring over $2 million each year in rents and related costs for ministries and departments housed in temporary facilities, expenses that would be avoided once staff return to the complex.

However, Vanterpool warned that removing government offices from privately owned buildings would leave substantial commercial space vacant and could place landlords and their financial obligations under pressure.

“Explain to me what is to happen to those spaces and those landlords. Who is going to take the space up? Are the banks going to foreclose upon them?”

He noted that leasing the Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex for commercial development could generate revenue to help finance the Government’s existing rental arrangements, rather than adding to vacancy risks in the private market.

Call for distributed government services

Vanterpool also challenged the long-standing practice of concentrating government services in one location, arguing that it creates traffic congestion, centralises economic activity and places numerous ministers and public officers within the same security environment.

Instead, he called for government services to be strategically distributed across the Territory, including Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost van Dyke.

“Why not have tourism in Virgin Gorda? Why not have fisheries in Anegada? Why not have the Ministry of Environment in Jost van Dyke?” he asked.

Vanterpool said decentralisation would bring jobs, commercial activity and government services directly to the sister islands, which he stressed must be treated as equal partners in the Territory’s economic development.

Long-delayed rehabilitation project

The Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex rehabilitation has been marked by delays and revised timelines. More than $10 million has been committed to the project, with approximately $8 million already spent as of 2025.

Vanterpool’s proposal comes as the Government prepares to move forward with major interior works, framing a debate over whether the complex should resume its original function as the central seat of government or be reimagined as a catalyst for private-sector growth in Road Town.