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>>> WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF RECOVERY IN FOCUS.

THIS SEPTEMBER MARKS THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANES IRMA EASY.

NEITHER IS THE ISLAND.

WE´LL TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ISLANDERS.

HERE´S THE MOST RECENT NEWS ON THE RECOVERY THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

>> FROM THE STUDIO -- THANKS TO AN OBLIGATION FROM FEMA.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONER SHARES HOW THIS CRITICAL -- WILL RESHAPE LONG-TERM NURSING HOME CARE IN THE TERRITORY.

>> PATIENT CARE IS A PRIORITY AND PROVIDING THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE AS WELL AS MAXIMIZING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS IMPORTANT WHEN SERVING OUR ELDERLY.

THIS REPRESENTS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO REQUIRE NURSING HOME TREATMENT.

IN SEPTEMBER 2021, IN COORDINATION WITH ADR, ISSUED A -- >> IS UNDERWAY.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HAS EMBARKED ON A $116.7 MILLION PROJECT TO REPAIR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE 2017 STORM.

CONTRACTOR JAMES BENSON, PRESIDENT OF JAY BENSON CONSTRUCTION, IS ONSITE WITH AN UPDATE.

>> WE ARE MAKING TREMENDOUS PROGRESS AS WE ARE ON THE WALTER ISLAND PROJECT.

HAS BEEN ON SITE A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND WE HAVE ALREADY CYCLED THROUGH THE FIRST THREE BUILDINGS WHEN IT COMES TO -- FOLLOWING BEHIND ASBESTOS ABATEMENT, WE ARE GOING IN WITH OUR CREWS TO DEMOLISH THE UNIT AND THEN WE´RE WORKING ON CONCRETE ON THE WINDOW SYSTEMS.

OUR CREWS HAVE STARTED ON BUILDING 17 AND AFTER THAT, WE CYCLE THE BUILDING 16 AND THEN BASED ON HOW THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN RELOCATED AND THE PROPERTY, WE ARE MOVING TO BUILDING 20 NEXT.

FROM THERE, WE HAVE 20 BUILDINGS TO CYCLE THROUGH TO THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT.

>> BY THE END OF SUMMER 2024, 248 FAMILIES WILL BE WELCOMED BACK HOME TO MODERNIZED AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

REPAIRS HAVE BEGUN TO REPAIR AN IMPORTANT PART OF ST. THOMAS.

DAMAGE DURING THE 2017 STORM -- FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXER AND ST. THOMAS NATIVE IS MAKING PROGRESS.

DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONER SHARES THE STATUS OF THE PROJECT.

>> CONSTRUCTION HAS STARTED AT THE FACILITY.

THE NEW OFFICE FOR THE EMPLOYEES ARE GOING UP WHERE THEY´LL BE ABLE TO HAVE A 360 VIEW OF THE FACILITY.

ALSO, THE PRESS BOX.

BEFORE WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO HOLD ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE PEOPLE IN THE PRESS BOX.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO BE ABLE TO HOLD AT LEAST EIGHT MEDIA PERSONNEL.

AND WAIT 15 TO 20 MINUTES FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME ON.

WE ARE REPLACING ALL OF OUR LIGHTBULBS WITH LED LIGHTS AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS, OUR ADA COMPLIANT HOME.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU COME OUT AND CELEBRATING WITH US AS THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETED AND WE RETURN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGINIA ISLANDS.

>> FOUR STAR CONSTRUCTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT AND SHOULD BE FINISHED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

ON SEPTEMBER 15th, ADRIAN L. WILLIAMS JOINED REPRESENTATIVES FROM FEMA AND OTHER RECOVERY OFFICIALS FROM THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PUERTO RICO FOR A HEARING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE RECOVERY EFFORTS IN THE REGION, FIVE YEARS AFTER HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA.

THE CONGRESSIONAL HEARING HELD IN D.C.

COVERED CRITICAL ISSUES IMPACTING THE RECOVERY AND WHAT CONGRESS CAN DO TO STREAMLINE PROCESSES AND ENSURE POLICIES GOVERNING THE ACT SEES ITS INTENT.

THE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR SHARED HER THOUGHTS ON THE IMPACT OF THE 2017 SEASON.

>> THE TERRITORY WIDE DESTRUCTION WAS UNPRECEDENTED AND POSED MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR DISASTER RESPONSE IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEN IRMA AND MARIA STRUCK, THE TWO ISLANDS DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT A MAJOR DISASTER RECOVERY.

AS WE ALL KNOW, FEMA´S RECOVERY MODEL IS CENTERED ON REIMBURSEMENT.

IT´S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KICK START A SWIFT AND EFFICIENT RECOVERY WITHOUT ACCESS TO CAPITAL WITHIN THE EXISTING MODEL.

SO THE SCALE OF DESTRUCTION PAIRED WITH LIQUIDITY CONSTRAINTS CREATED AN UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGE FOR THE ISLAND.

>> ONE ACT, WHY THE RECOVERY IS TAKING SO LONG, FEMA ADMINISTRATOR EXPLAINED.

>> THERE´S NO DOUBT THAT STARTING WITH A NEW PROCESS UNDER THE BBA AND DEVELOPING PROJECTS THAT ARE OF SUCH SIGNIFICANCE AND MAGNITUDE GIVEN THE SCOPE OF THE DAMAGE CREATED CHALLENGES.

>> WILLIAM OSTERLAND GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE RECOVERY.

>> ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED DESPITE CHALLENGES TO PROCESSES, A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, JUST EXACERBATED THE COMPLEXITY OF RECOVERING FROM BACK-TO-BACK CATEGORY 5 STORMS.

>> TODAY, 5.6 BILLION OF THE 8 BILLION HAS BEEN OBLIGATED TO THE TERRITORY.

$2.7 BILLION OF THOSE FUNDS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED.

>> WITH A PORTFOLIO OF ONLY 1500 PROJECTS.

AT LEAST 783 HURRICANE RECOVERY PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND 500 ON THE WAY.

>> CARGO OPERATIONS WILL BECOME SMOOTHER THANKS TO A PORT PROJECT.

ENGINEER NELSON GIVES US THE DETAILS.

>> THIS IS THE PORT MARINE BUILDING.

THE PROJECT KICKED OFF IN MAY OF 2020.

THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT ENTAILS REPLACING THE OLD WITH THE NEW WHERE THE NEW BUILDING CURRENTLY IS IN THE SAME FOOTPRINT AS THE OLD WITH A SLIGHTLY LARGER, 45,000 SQUARE FEET.

THIS INCLUDES BOTH THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, WHICH WOULD HOUSE PERSONNEL AS WELL AS A WAREHOUSE WHICH WILL BE FOR TENANT USE.

THIS PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED BY INSURANCE COSTING APPROXIMATELY $15.9 MILLION.

THE WORK IS COMPLETE OVER 99% COMPLETE WITH ONLY REMAINING WORK BEING THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMMISSIONING.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AWAITING TRANSFORMER AS WELL AS THE ON THE GROUND UTILITY UPGRADE.

ELECTRICAL.

ONCE THAT IS INSTALLED AND THE BUILDING IS POWERED, THE TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN BE DONE.

TO ALLOW THE BUILDING TO NOW GO INTO OCCUPATIONAL USE.

>> THE PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY DECEMBER 2022.

AT A RIBBON CUTTING HELD IN LATE AUGUST, THE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF A $1.6 MILLION TERRITORY WIDE PROJECT.

APPLAUDING THE PROGRESS OF THE RECOVERY.

>> GOVERNOR, TODAY I´M PROUD TO LET YOU KNOW AND THE CITIZENS THAT THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF ALL 44 TSUNAMI SIRENS IS COMPLETE.

I WANT TO THANK OUR FEDERAL AND TERRITORIAL ASSISTANT OFFICES.

YOU´RE THE ONES WHO HELP THESE PROCESSES AND VALIDATE WHAT´S BEEN GOING ON TO MAKE SURE WE DO THIS PROPERLY.

YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN FANTASTIC SO THANK YOU BOTH FROM ODR AND MY TEAM WORKING TOGETHER AS THIS PROJECT COMES TO BE A REALITY.

>> GOVERNOR ALBERT BRIAN JR.

ECHOED DIRECTOR JOSH´S COMMENTS.

>> I COMMEND THE INCREDIBLE JOB OUR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE DOING WITH THIS RECOVERY BECAUSE THE -- WENT DOWN THE SAME TIME AS THE REST OF THIS STUFF.

IN ST. THOMAS.

AND THEY DON´T HAVE 1500 PROJECTS.

THEY´VE GOT ONE.

NO PROGRESS ON THERE.

WAITING FOR THE PROGRESS.

DESTROYED IN THE STORM.

ON THE ISLAND WHEN YOU COMPARE WHAT´S GOING ON IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON ALL OF THESE PROJECTS AND WE HAVE TO TAKE THE TIME TO CELEBRATE THE WIN.

>> FEMA IS EXPECTED TO UTILIZE THE NEW SIREN ON OCTOBER 20th FOR THE GREAT SHAKEOUT.

BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE ODR WEBSITE FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH, THE TERRITORIAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR WONG HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER IS REQUESTING PROPOSALS FROM QUALIFIED AND LICENSED FIRMS TO DESIGN THOSE OF A TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATIVE PHASE TO THE HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL AS UP TO DATE NEWS ON ALL DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOGON TO WWW.USDIOD.COM.

>> WELL, ANOTHER -- AT THE PLAZA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE MY CO-HOST WITH ME.

>> IT´S MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME THE ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS ADMINISTRATORS.

YOU´LL HEAR FROM THE TEAM AS WELL LATER ON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THIS EPISODE OF RECOVERY IN FOCUS.

WE ARE JUST TREMENDOUSLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK THE ADMINISTRATORS DO ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

BUT WE´RE GOING THE GET INTO TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF WHAT´S HAPPENING.

YOU KNOW THAT DANA, YOU HAVE SOME VERY KEY UPDATES.

A LOT IS GOING ON IN THE HOUSING REALM.

SHARE WITH US.

WE ARE TRULY EXCITED TO TELL THE FOLKS ABOUT THE INITIATIVE THAT IS BY THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, WE´RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS COMING.

>> JUST BEFORE -- >> I REALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT YOU SAID THAT AFTER DISASTER, IT´S CRITICAL TO HAVE SIGNAGE SO YOU GET TO -- >> WHAT YOU NEED AND ASSISTANCE.

BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

KUDOS TO GETTING TO THIS POINT.

>> THANK YOU.

I WANT TO SEND THE PUBLIC A -- ELECTRICAL GRID WE DID EARLIER TO ALSO BE $10 MILLION OUT THERE TO THE PUBLIC TO HAVE SOME INNOVATION, INNOVATIVE IDEAS AS WHAT WE COULD DO ENERGY WISE.

BE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATIONS AS WELL.

TALKING ABOUT A VISION, WE COULD SAY THE CONTRACTOR ON BOARD TO HELP US WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING, DESIGNS ARE REALLY MOVING.

THERE´S A LOT THAT HAS TO BE REPAIRED.

THE ARCHITECT TO GET IT DOWN.

SO THEY´RE ON BOARD, UP AND RUNNING AS OF SEPTEMBER 14th.

>> THEY´RE THERE BECAUSE YOU´RE NOT JUST FIXING THE ROOF.

IN MANY CASES, THE STRUCTURE IN THE ENTIRE HOME.

INTERIOR WALLS, YOU CAN´T HAVE A STRONG -- ON A WEAK FOUNDATION.

THAT´S A LOT OF WORK IN STORE.

AGAIN, THAT´S REAL PROGRESS IN GETTING ADDITIONAL HELP.

OF MOVING THESE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGNS FORWARD.

A RESIDENT HAS A CONCERN THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP.

SO LET´S TAKE A LISTEN TO THAT.

>> I WOULD LIKE SUCH AS IS THE HOMELESS SITUATION.

THEY KIND OF GO HAND IN HAND TOGETHER.

MOST OF TIME, IT´S DRUG RELATED AS WELL.

YOU´VE GOT DRUG RELATED, HOMELESS, MENTAL ISSUE ALL IN ONE.

WE NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF TRAINING IN PLACE FOR THEM TO STAY AND GIVE A TRADE.

MOST OF THEM DON´T HAVE A TRADE.

SO THEY´RE OUT THERE SELLING DRUGS.

BUT ALLOWING A TRADE, WHEN SOME COME BACK, THEY´RE ABLE TO HELP CLEAN UP THIS PLACE.

>> SHE SOUNDS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.

>> THE HELP, ESPECIALLY THE HOMELESS.

SOMETIMES CONCERNING THE THINGS -- THAT PROVIDE HOMES.

IT´S A WORK IN PROGRESS.

I HAD A CONVERSATION NOT TOO LONG AGO -- >> A LOT OF THE RECOVERY DOLLARS HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON ENDING HOMELESSNESS.

EVEN AT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS IDENTIFY $10 MILLION PLUS.

WE ALSO HAVE A HOUSING IN THE AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY IN THIS ONE TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS.

>> YOU GET A LOT OF ASSISTANCE FROM THEM.

SO IT´S A COMBINATION OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND NON-PROFITS WORKING TOGETHER.

WE ARE ABOUT COMMUNITY FIRST THAT STARTED PROVIDING HOUSING TO THE HOMELESS.

WE HAVE NON-PROFIT ACTION.

THE 10,000 HOUSES.

AND THE YOUNG LADY HAS A POINT.

HOMELESSNESS COMBINED TOGETHER.

>> IT´S NOT THAT EASY.

>> YOU DIRECT US EVERY SINGLE DAY.

TELL ME ABOUT WHAT THE JOB ENTAILS AND WHAT´S IT LIKE FOR YOU?

>> EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE THE SCHEDULE.

WE ANSWER A LOT OF CONCERNS FROM THE CONSTITUENT.

WE HAVE SERVICES.

WE ACTUALLY HELP IN PARTS OF THE AGENCY AND IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR WITH TRANSLATION.

WE HAVE THIS PROGRAM -- TO SCAN ALL THESE DOCUMENTS SO THEY WOULD BE SAFE.

ONE OF THE ORR THINGS, WE STARTED DOING THAT I BELIEVE -- AND SOME ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE BECAUSE EVERY DAY, WE GET A DIFFERENT CALL AND THAT´S THE REASON WHY.

WE CALL THIS YOUNG LADY 20,000 TIMES A WEEK.

>> WHAT´S THE DAY LIKE?

>> MY DAY IS TYPICALLY -- DIFFERENT AGENCIES, PEOPLE CALL OUT.

CERTAIN AT TIMES TO CALL THE NUMBER.

THE LAST THREE DIGITS OF LAST NAME.

>> SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE PARTICIPATED.

>> I´M SO SORRY I COULDN´T MAKE IT, BUT THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY, I´LL BE POPPING IN AND OUT TALKING TO YOU INSIDE WITH HIGH LIGHTS OF OUR RECOVERY PROJECT HERE.

I´M ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE -- THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND COOPERATION.

I KNOW THAT I TRY TO BE -- VERY OVERWHELMING, BUT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD SO THE MOST RECENT OF OUR PROJECT.

YOU´LL HEAR MORE SO STAY TUNED.

BACK TO YOU, ADRIAN.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN -- RESPOND TO THE OBLIGATED, VERY IMPORTANT WORD TO MAINTAIN THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

LEAVE IT AS AN EYESORE.

YOUR OFFICE LED AN INITIATIVE TO CLEAN UP THE CHARLES AND EMANUEL SCHOOL.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> YES, EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AFTER THE SCHOOL WAS NOT GOING USE THE WORD ABANDONED, BUT DESTROYED BY THE STORM, WE RECEIVED A LOT OF PHONE CALLS ABOUT IT.

THE LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL IS ACTUALLY THE SAME ROAD AS THE NEW STADIUM THAT WE HAVE.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE USE THAT ROAD.

SO WHAT WE DID IS THAT I GOT TOGETHER WITH SOME OF THE CONTRACTORS THAT WE USED.

WE CLEARED THE ENTIRE SCHOOL.

BOARDED UP AND FIXED THE GATE.

OVER 30 ABANDONS VEHICLES THAT WERE IN THAT AREA.

IT´S REALLY NICE.

THE SCHOOL HAS A LOT OF SENT MENTAL VALUE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WHEN IT WAS POSTED ON FACEBOOK, IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

THE FEEDBACK THAT I RECEIVED.

FROM INDIVIDUALS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES THAT I BELIEVE THEY´RE GOING TO DO A HEAD START THERE AND IT´S GOING TO RETAIN THE SAME NAME.

CHARLES EMANUEL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> OH, YES.

DOESN´T SURPRISE ME TO THAT YOU GOT A LOT OF CALLS.

THERE´S ONE THING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE.

THAT IT WAS INTENDED, MY MOTHER WENT TO DIAMOND SCHOOL.

USED TO BE DOWN THERE BY WEST AIRPORT ROAD.

BUT EMANUEL, YOU THINK ABOUT EDUCATION AND DIDN´T WANT TO BE LATE AND SO THEY -- MAKING SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

I´D LIKE TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THAT.

>> IT´S IMPACTED OUR UPCOMING RECOVERY PROJECTS.

IN 2023, MORE THAN 50 PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO ENTER VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION AND OVER $14 MILLION WILL BE SPENT.

THE SCHOOL WILL BE ONE OF THOSE LOCATIONS.

THE OTHERS ARE ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN.

HEAD START.

I GOT MY START AT HEAD START.

IT´S VERY IMPORTANT.

THE $42 MILLION THAT´S COMING AS A RESULT OF THE RECOVERY.

THE CHARLES EMANUEL SCHOOL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES THAT WERE ON THE DRAWING BOARD.

ALLOW CONCORDIA AND THOSE PROJECTS WENT BEFORE THE CGM COMMITTEE.

ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT CAME FROM IT IS THAT THEY DID NOT LIKE THE OUTSIDE, THE FACADE.

THE COMMITTEE REALLY SENT THE ARCHITECTS BACK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DESIGNS OF THE HEAD START WERE GOING TO BE WHAT WE WANT OUR CHILDREN AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

THAT HAS BEEN MOVING ALONG AND WE´RE GOING TO GET TO WHERE IT´S PUTTING THESE BUILDINGS UP FOR CONSTRUCTION.

SO WE´RE GOING TO SEE A REALLY REVAMPED FACELIFT OF HEAD START.

TO START PROVIDING A FOUNDATION FOR THE CHILDREN HERE IN OUR TERRITORY.

>> A LOT OF MEMORIES, TOO.

>> YES.

>> AND THAT MIGHT BE GIVING THE FOUNDATION, YOU KNOW, THERE´S A CHANCE TO SEGUE INTO KINDERGARTEN.

HEAD START TO KINDERGARTEN.

YOU WANT TO SCHOOL.

>> YES.

IN THE MORNING -- THEY ARE MOVING ALONG WITH THE HEAD START.

$20 MILLION WE PROBABLY WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD.

I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LIBRARIES.

THAT´S ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT OF BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES HAS BEEN OBLIGATED OVER $19 MILLION FOR A TERRITORY LIBRARY.

I KNOW SHE HAS A COMMENT REGARDING WHAT´S BEING DONE ABOUT LIBRARIES.

WHAT´S GOING ON THERE AT THAT LOCATION?

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION AS WE CONTINUE ON OUR BEAUTIFUL HISTORICAL LIBRARY.

IT´S VERY IMPORTANT TO BRING LIBRARIES TO OUR CHILDREN, OUR ADULTS, AND ESPECIALLY OUR VISITORS TO LEARN THE HISTORY OF OUR ISLAND AND OUR TERRITORIES.

AND IT´S VERY IMPORTANT THAT -- AND PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INCOMING WORK OF THE SEASON, THAT MIGHT DELAY OUR PROGRESS, BUT WE´RE VERY, VERY EXCITED IN BRINGING BACK OUR LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITIES FOR THAT.

>> YES, IT´S RECENTLY BEEN IN THE NEWS.

GOOD TO KNOW THAT WHAT´S GOING ON AND CONTINUE TO GO ON SO WE CAN GET IT TO THE POINT WHERE IT CAN BE DONE.

ST. CROIX NOW.

>> A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

WE ARE DOING A LOT THERE.

>> THE LIBRARY AGAIN IS ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE THE CHILDREN WENT TO FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS.

NOW KIDS GO TO -- CAN BE DONE AND THE PETERSON LIBRARY ALSO HAS BEEN WORK THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

AND IN MOVING ALONG.

>> IT´S MOVING ALONG.

I KNOW THAT LAST WEEK, HAD TO STOP BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER, BUT IT´S MOVING ALONG.

LIKE YOU STATED, IT´S MORE THAN -- THERE´S THE RESEARCH.

EVEN HAD A -- DEDICATED TO THE HISPANIC CHILDREN.

SPANISH BOOKS AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

>> YES.

ONE OF THE THINGS ALSO IS THAT THE -- THAT THE FEMA FUNDS NOW CONTINUE.

ON ST. THOMAS, THE LIBRARY IS CURRENTLY FINALIZING THE DESIGN STAGE TO BUILD AND WE EXPECT WILL START IN EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> THE LIBRARY, HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER.

IT´S NOT JUST TRADITIONAL BOOKS ANYMORE.

THE LIBRARY HAS SCHOOL OR -- >> THE LIBRARY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> CONNECT THE OTHER LIBRARIES.

>> YES.

THE LIBRARY ALSO IS FINALIZING THE BID THAT CAME IN.

>> THE HOUSING IS IMPORTANT AND THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BEEN CRITICAL FOR THIS TERRITORY AND THE TERRITORY HAS BEEN OBLIGATED OVER $20 MILLION TO FUND PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, PROJECTS AND OTHER REVITALIZATION PROJECTS.

WE CAN ALWAYS BE PAYING ATTENTION TO HOUSING BECAUSE WITHOUT THE HOUSING, IT IMPACTS SO MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF RECOVERY.

THERE´S A LOT THAT´S BEEN GOING ON ST. CROIX.

>> WE´VE SEEN SEVERAL.

THEY´RE EXTREMELY HAPPY ABOUT IT.

THE LOCATION -- I´M GOING TO TAKE YOU THERE SO YOU CAN SEE THE BEAUTY.

OKAY.

JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.

IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS BUT I´M TELLING YOU, THEY FINISH, IT´S GOING TO BE SO BEAUTIFUL.

>> COMMUNITY CENTERS, WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED OVER THERE.

>> I VISITED -- GOOD PROJECTS FOR THE PROGRAM AND SO FORTH.

>>.

>> YES.

TO WHAT´S GOING ON.

>> SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME STYLE.

>> THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS AS WELL.

WE´RE ALSO THE -- AND WE NEED ANOTHER FORM.

THE NAME OF THE GAME FOR ALLOWING STATES HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

AND DPW HAS BEEN ON THE MOVE ABOUT ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE COMMISSIONER TO GET AN UPDATE ON AN ONGOING INITIATIVE ADDRESSING TRAFFIC SIGNALS ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

LET´S HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> WE ARE HERE AT THE WEST INTERSECTION WHERE WE HAVE OUR CONTRACTOR, OUR CUSTOM BUILDERS ERECTING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

THIS IS PART OF THE MILLION PROJECT SPONSORED BY THE ADMINISTRATION WHERE TRAFFIC SIGNALS ARE ALLOWING AT THE INTERSECTION.

THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS -- ANY FORM THAT WE HAVE AS WELL AS ANY OTHER HIGH WINDS OR OTHER WEATHER.

OF COURSE, THIS IS MAKING OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE MORE SAFE.

NOT ONLY FOR OUR MOTORISTS, BUT PEDESTRIANS.

THIS PROJECT WE´RE INSIDE A BATTERY IN THESE MAJOR INTERSECTIONS SO WHEN WE HAVE POWER OUTAGES, IT WILL STILL BE FUNCTIONAL.

THE PROJECT SHOULD BE CONTINUED UNTIL NOVEMBER.

>> YES, YES.

>> YOU KNOW, I GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I HEARD YOU´RE HONORARY MEMBER OF THE DPW TEAM.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PROJECTS, IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO NOTE I KNOW YOU´VE GOT YOUR CALL WHEN EARLY ON THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN FROM THE COMMUNITY ON SIGNAGE, THE SIGNS AND THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

AND THERE WAS DEFINITELY A LOT OF PROGRESS.

>> MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS.

YOU KNOW, ALL THE ARMS, THE SIGNAGE.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU KNOW, I DIDN´T KNOW HOW CRITICAL IT WAS UNTIL -- >> I´M GLAD YOU SAID THAT BECAUSE I THINK THE ANALOGY THEY GAVE US THAT WHEN.

>> A LOT CANNOT -- >> LOOK AT THE WHITE LINE.

WHAT TIME ARE YOU DRIVING HOME?

>> FROM ST. CROIX WHEN WE HAD A LOT OF AGENCIES AND I HAD OPPORTUNITY TO.

>> EVERY TIME IT WOULD RAIN -- IT WOULD MAKE GREAT PROGRESS.

THE OTHER ROAD THAT YOU NEEDED A FOUR BY FOUR DPW IS DOING GREET JOB AND I SO APPRECIATE THE STAFF.

THERE´S A LOT OF WORK THERE AND AT ST. THOMAS.

>> YES.

DID GREAT WORK THERE.

>> AND THE FIRST MAJOR PROJECT.

>> MADE IT VERY DANGEROUS, URGENCY IN IT.

>> GETTING IT DONE.

>> MILLIONS OF DISASTER FUNDING IS ALSO BEING SPENT TO COMPLETE THOSE PROJECTS.

>> LET´S TALK ABOUT MY -- WE WILL LOOK AT THOSE COMPLETED FROM CREWS BUT IT´S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE WALK TO VERY CRUCIAL AREAS WITHOUT UNDERMINING RIGHT NOW AND IN THE AREA, WE ARE NOW PUTTING BASKETS THAT WILL HELP SUPPORT THAT SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT IS -- AND CREWS THERE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AREA.

IT´S ALMOST COMPLETE.

IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

>> YOU KNOW, WE´VE DISCUSSED AND WE THINK FOR BRINGING US UP TO SPEED.

WHAT´S HAPPENING UNDERGROUND?

THE WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY HAS HAD SOME WATER LINE PROJECTS.

THAT´S CRITICAL BECAUSE A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE BROWN WATER, WASHING THEIR CLOTHES AND JUST THE QUALITY OF WATER.

YOU´RE ABLE TO COMPLETE THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, THE EXTENSION.

>> THOSE RESIDENTS ARE HAPPY NOW.

MOVING FAST.

>> AND WE´RE COMPLETING THE DESIGN FOR THAT.

THE REMAINDER OF THE ROOF THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED YET.

LAST WEEK, WE HAD MANAGEMENT ON THE SHOW AND THEY SPOKE ABOUT SOME BREACHING OF THE COASTAL PROJECTS ON ST. CROIX.

OUR CREWS SPOKE WITH RON PHILLIPS, A SENIOR ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGER ABOUT THE COMPLETION OF THAT PROJECT.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> WHAT THIS PROJECT DID, THIS PROJECT WENT AHEAD AND REROUTED INLAND WASTE WATER COMING FROM ST. CROIX BY THE SEA, PELICAN COVE, THE PALMS.

AND FROM THERE, WE PUMPED THE WASTE WATER PUMPED INLAND AND IT GOES INTO WHAT WE ROUGHER TO AS A TRANSITION MODEL LOCATED AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE BEACH.

FROM THERE, THE FLOW GRAVITY FED AND IT COMES INTO THE MANHOLE LOCATED RIGHT AT THE SEA OVER AT SUGAR BEACH AND THEN IT CONTINUES ALONG THE ROAD.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROJECT, WE REMOVED APPROXIMATELY 1900 LINEAR FEET OF LINE THAT WAS IN THE SEA IN FRONT OF THE CONDOMINIUM COMPLEXES.

ALSO, WE REMOVED A TOTAL OF SIX MANHOLES THAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE SEA, ALSO.

THOSE WERE REMOVED.

THE PURPOSE OF DOING THIS PROJECT IS THAT THE SUER LINE LOCATED IN THE SEA WAS LEAKING AND SEA WATER WAS GOING INTO THE SYSTEM AND EVENTUALLY, THAT SALT WATER GOT INTO THE STATION AND WHAT WE SAW, THERE WAS ACTUALLY DAMAGE IN THE PUMP.

THE IMPELLER WAS BECOMING CORRODED AND THEN IT BECOMES INOPERABLE AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAD WENT FROM OPERATIONAL INDIVIDUAL TO ST. CROIX IN THE SECTION OF -- ON THE CORNER.

YOU´LL SEE THOSE MANHOLES OVERFLOWING AND THE REASON WHY THAT HAPPENED IS BECAUSE OUR PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIONAL BECAUSE ONCE THE IMPELLER ARE CORRODED, THEY CAN´T PUMP WASTE WATER ANYMORE.

THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY FEMA AND IT WAS PART OF THE HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM.

IT WAS COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 30th, 2020.

THE BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY IS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE STATION ONLINE AND WE WON´T HAVE ANY WASTE WATER OVERFLOWING FROM THE MANHOLES INTO THE INTERSECTION.

>> I HAVE TO GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO OUR WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AREA AND THEY WORK UNTIL LATE AT NIGHT OF THE WEEKEND TRYING RECTIFY.

SO KUDOS TO OUR WASTE MANAGEMENT.

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

ON ST. THOMAS, THERE´S SOME SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS DONE TO THE LINE.

>> SO IN THE AREA, WE HAD A LOT OF THOSE PIPES.

THOSE CONTRACTORS HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING IN A NEW MANHOLE AND PIPE.

IT´S FULL STEAM AHEAD.

WE GOT A NEW PUBLIC WORK.

A NEW MANHOLE BY THE BASKETBALL COURT.

MOVE IN, FULL STEAM AHEAD.

>> I KNOW IT IS CRITICAL.

WHEN YOU HEAR THE NAME OF A COMMUNITY INCLUDE GOLF, YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

>> YES.

>> OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU KNOW, I REALLY WANT TO ALWAYS JUST COMMEND THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATORS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

YOU HAD SEVERAL OTHER KEEP PROJECTS AT THE FOREFRONT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAPPEN.

>> ABOUT TEN IN ST. THOMAS AND VENDOR´S PLAZA.

REALLY, REALLY CRITICAL AND WE´VE HAD LOT OF INVOLVEMENT IN THAT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS, YOU KNOW, FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH THE HELP OF THE RICHARDS AND THE CONSTRUCTION AND THAT AREA THAT WAS FROM THE SIDE OF VENDOR´S PLAZA.

WE´RE REALLY EXCITED NOW.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE AND UPGRADING IT.

IT´S MORE OF A WELCOME CENTER AND WE´RE GOING TO HAVE -- AN ATM MACHINE AND SO FORTH.

SO YOU KNOW, NOT JUST FOR OUR -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT WORK HAS TO BE COMMENDED.

THE WORK ON WI-FI AND THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO MAKE SURE THERE´S WI-FI ACROSS THE ENTIRE TERRITORY.

THE WAY YOU CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME.

BEFORE WE WRAP UP, I SPOKE TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK THE NEXT INITIATIVE SHOULD BE.

HERE´S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUNG, THE YOUTH TO DO SO THEY DON´T GET INVOLVED IN CRIME AND VIOLENCE.

THE YOUTH HAVE BEEN WANDERING THE STREETS WITH NOTHING TO DO.

NOTHING POSITIVE.

>> THE ISSUES I WOULD LIKE MY ADMINISTRATORS TO ADDRESS IS DEVELOPING A BILINGUAL WORKFORCE WHERE WE HAVE EQUAL REPRESENTATION.

WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE FIRST IN LANGUAGES AS WE KNOW, THE VIRGIN ISLAND SS A CULTURALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORK WORSE IS REPRESENTED.

THE PEOPLE LOOK AT THE SERVICES THEY RIGHTFULLY DESERVE.

>> THAT´S A GOOD POINT.

WE HAVE A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF HISPANICS, SO WHAT WE HAVE DONE, WE HAVE THE STANDARD IN WHICH THEY CAN CALL OUR OFFICE AND BOTH PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT SECTOR AND WE TRANSLATE FOR THEM.

WE ALSO HAVE DOCUMENTS.

WE HELP THEM TRANSLATE.

WE EXPANDED OUR SERVICES WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS AND ISSUES OF OUR HISPANIC CITIZENS.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT HARD BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY CREOLES.

BUT WE ARE WORKING ON THAT.

>> WONDERFUL.

AND YOU KNOW, THE OFFICE SPOKE ABOUT TRAINING AT THE GOVERNOR´S SUMMIT THAT TOOK PLACE.

WE HOPE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

THE PROGRAM, HOW IS THAT COMING ALONG?

>> EXCELLENT.

TO LEARN MANY DIFFERENT SKILLS THERE.

PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT NOW AND IN THE LONG RUN.

>> HOW DO YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT?

>> GO TO THE -- >> OKAY.

WE ALSO HAVE TIME TO ANSWER QUESTIONS HERE ON THE SHOW.

FROM THE APP, IS THERE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS NON-PROFIT THAT ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

UNDER THE PROGRAM, THE DEBT PROGRAM, THEY´RE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.

APPLICANTS CAN MAKE SURE THEY REQUEST AN APPLICATION PACKAGE FROM THE TERRITORY OFFICERS.

AND SEND AN E-MAIL OR CALL 773-2244 AND I KNOW THAT IF THE -- SOME OPPORTUNITIES.

>> NON-PROFITS.

RECENTLY SENT OUT FUNDING, $50 MILLION, A NON-PROFIT AS WELL AS WHEN THE DOLLARS COME ONLINE WHICH WE´RE HOPING TO HAPPEN.

IT´S THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR AS WELL.

SO, YES.

>> OKAY.

ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY?

>> THEY CAN CALL ME DIRECTLY, 690-8861.

ESPECIALLY TO USE -- THERE ARE OTHERS THAT I CAN REFER THEM TO.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW, IT´S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON OUR SHOW WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

ANY PARTING WORDS FOR OUR GUESTS?

>> IF YOU BECOME INVOLVED, JUST CALL OUR OFFICE.

THANK YOU.

>> KEEP DOING WHAT YOU´RE DOING.

JUST ENSURE THAT THINGS DON´T FALL OFF THE RADAR.

IT´S VERY, VERY CRITICAL FOR GETTING THINGS DONE AND WE ARE BETTING CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AND ENGINEER.

I´M A MODERN ENGINEER, TOO.

SO I KNOW -- JACK OF ALL TRADES.

YOU HAVE TO BE.

SO MANY DIFFERENT -- YOU ARE NO STRANGER TO THE CENTER AND ALWAYS ANSWERING THE CALL.

>> GIVE ME A CALL -- DOESN´T MATTER, WE´LL TRY TO SOLVE IT OR WE CAN GUIDE YOU TO SOMEBODY.

SO PLEASE.

AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO THE PROGRAM.

>> YES.

IT´S OUR ABSOLUTE PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND MY CO-HOST, ANY PARTING WORDS?

>> THANK YOU ALL.

DON´T FORGET, ALWAYS ASK YOU TO GO TO -- AND LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THERE AS WELL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WELL THANK YOU ALL.

TO MAKE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE BY VISITING US ONLINE AT USGIADR.COM AND YOU CAN KEEP THIS SESSION GOING AT FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.