May 20, 2008 — Three government officials conducted an inspection tour of the Calabash Boom affordable housing construction site recently and gave it passing marks.
"After several hours touring the site and seeing the remarkable progress, I can only give kudos to Project Manager Keith Batt, Contractor John Wessel of GEC and their professional construction crew for the superb job they are doing thus far," said Sen. Celestino A. White Sr., who made the tour along with Senator-at-Large Carmen M. Wesselhoft and St. John Administrator Leona Smith. "With all the obstacles placed in their way by project naysayers, I am pleasantly surprised at the rapid pace of the project and the high level of environmental protections that are in place."
The officials inspected foundations, concrete pours, landscaping activities and environmental-protection measures during the tour last Wednesday, according to a news release from White's office. The high point of the inspection was viewing the almost-complete building that will serve as a community center for residents of all ages, the release said.
"GEC is the same firm that constructed the affordable apartments known as Lovenlund I and II on the hillside above Magens Bay," White said. "As a result of this firm's excellent history in the islands and the care and quality of work I witnessed at Calabash Boom, I am confident that GEC is providing yet another quality construction project for Virgin Islanders."
White recently announced a joint initiative of his office, the Housing Finance Authority and Gov. John deJongh Jr. to expand the affordable housing stock for home ownership and rentals by more than 600 hundred units territory-wide. Calabash Boom's 48 affordable rentals and 24 affordable homes are just a small part of this housing initiative, the release said.
"I want to express profound thanks to the developer, Mr. Robert Jackson of Reliance Housing Foundation, for sticking through the arduous rounds of meritless lawsuits that delayed these badly needed homes," White said. "I also recognize the hard work of Housing Finance Authority Executive Director Clifford Graham in staying the course and ensuring that these badly needed homes are built for the people of St. John. Finally, Gov. John deJongh Jr.'s expressed and demonstrated interest in pushing the affordable hosing program forward is indeed welcome as involvement from the top will be essential and will bring much success to the affordable housing program."
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