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HomeNewsArchivesMaster Plan in Works to Develop the Creek

Master Plan in Works to Develop the Creek

July 24, 2008 — The V.I. Port Authority plans to upgrade the Creek, a concrete expanse in Cruz Bay once used by barge companies until the Enighed Pond Marine Facility opened.
The Port Authority dockmaster's office, the InterIsland Boat Service ticket trailer and a canvas covered waiting area are still in use, but the rest of the slab sits empty except for numerous vehicles using the area as a parking lot.
Port Authority spokesman Marc Stridiron said the St. Thomas-based deJongh Associates has a contract to develop a master plan for the Creek.
"It will really involve the input of St. Johnians," Stridiron said.
He declined to provide any specific ideas the Port Authority might have. Instead, he said the Port Authority wants to hear first from the public at a series of public meetings. No dates have been set for those meetings.
Robert deJongh of deJongh Associates said that his company is in the midst of contacting people to serve on a steering committee for the Creek development. Once the committee is organized, deJongh said he'll start soliciting "thoughts and concerns" from the steering committee and subsequently, the public.
"We want to get suggestions and input from the public. We are looking for responses from a broad cross-section of the community," deJongh said.
St. John Administrator Leona Smith said that she envisions relocating ferries from the Cruz Bay ferry dock to the Creek. The Port Authority had initially said when it discussed plans for Enighed Pond that it would move the ferries to the Creek. So far, that hasn't happened.
With the ferries at the Creek, what is now the Cruz Bay ferry dock would be used by small cruise ships like the Nantucket Clipper.
Smith said that St. John's growth calls for improvements to the island's marine facilities.
"We've got to plan for the next 10 years,' she said.
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