The V.I. Port Authority is managing more than $115 million in active construction projects across the territory, officials told the governing board Tuesday, as they also reported a $5 million profit for the first half of the fiscal year — despite a $1 million loss in the Aviation Division.
Ava Penn, director of Financial Affairs, informed the board that this operating profit was $2.4 million higher than the operating profit for the same period last year. The Aviation Division generated $740,000 in parking lot revenues during this period, compared to $340,000 in revenues for the same period in the previous year. Collections from marine parking lots have also gone up, but not as dramatically — from $857,000 to $879,000.
The largest project on St. Thomas is the Cyril E. King Airport parking garage and transportation center, which is costing a total of $33 million, with $31 million already paid. A grand opening was held in April. An occupancy permit has been granted; however, some minor items still need to be completed.
The second major project is also at CEKA. It is a taxiway west reconstruction. It is a $30 million project, of which $26 million has been paid. The project is coming in under budget and is 99 percent complete, according to Preston Beyer, director of Engineering.
The governing board approved another $36 million contract at CEKA to go to Islands Corporation.
This slab replacement on runways is expected to begin next month and be completed in September. The work for this project will be conducted during nighttime hours to minimize flight interruptions.
The board also approved a settlement with Rumina Construction Services to avoid litigation over the CEKA Gate 5 apron pavement improvement project. The agreement stipulates a payment of $165,000 to Rumina. Rumina had a $3 million contract for work at CEKA five years ago. VIPA withheld $250,000 in payment claiming the work was unsatisfactory. The remaining $80,000 will be retained by VIPA.
On St. Croix, Virgin Islands Paving is working on a $15 million contract for apron rehabilitation at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. Two million dollars has been paid. The contractor has completed two of the three phases in the project.
Virgin Islands Paving also has a contract at HERA for $8 million for shoulder and electrical vault construction. The work is in the completion phase, and the full amount has been paid to the contractor.
The governing board approved a cooperative service agreement for wildlife management, which will benefit both airports. The U.S. Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services is tasked with ensuring animal health and welfare, as well as protecting agriculture from invasive pests and diseases.
The Port Authority utilizes the USDA-APHIS WS to support the Aviation Division, including monitoring daily wildlife activity that could disrupt or pose a hazard to the aviation community. Wildlife Services also provides staff training involved in wildlife hazard harassment and mitigation actions.
Board members attending were Joseph Boschulte, Derek Gabriel, Willard John, Gordon Rhea, Kevin Rodriguez, and Celestino White Sr.
