The St. Thomas-St. John Historic Preservation Committee on Tuesday approved several WAPA projects, including underground power and water line installations and upgrades to historic buildings in Dronningens and Kongens Quarters.
WAPA presented an application for water line rehabilitation, the installation of a new water main, secondary waterlines, and water meters, as well as the installation of a new 16 by 11 foot pump station in the Government Hill and Blackbeard Hill neighborhoods.
Concerns were raised by some committee members about exposed meters and service lines. Sean Krigger, director and deputy state historic preservation officer, informed the committee that some locations are exposed due to the surrounding landscape and that it would not be possible to cover them.
“Some of the areas, that’s not practical,” responded Krigger.
“My concern is in the raised meter. The one that comes to mind is that meter monstrosity across from the Department of Labor on Back Street. Right across the street from the car wash,” said Enrique Rodriguez, acting committee chair. “That’s the kind of stuff that we would not like to see.”
“Most times, when we install water meters we try to keep it out of the walkway,” responded La’Ron Henry, engineer and project manager for the Water Division at the Water and Power Authority. “If it is in a sidewalk we try to keep it flushed to the sidewalk.”
The committee unanimously approved the project’s application. After, they approved another WAPA project to convert overhead distribution to underground distribution for the power lines on feeder 9A, install duct banks, pad-mounted transformers and switch banks, and electric manholes in the area. The project is anticipated to take approximately 10 months and be executed between November 2025 and September 2026.
Krigger expressed concern for a screening element or fencing for switchgears that are exposed.
“We can definitely look into potential options. We can go out and survey the space around and see if we can meet the feasible standards for the space limitations,” replied Danielle Norris, engineer of record for the project.
Rodriguez inquired about the green color of the electrical boxes and referenced paintings using sea life like octopuses and turtles, in San Diego, to decorate their switch banks. Norris responded that the boxes remain green due to WAPA’s standards and to avoid warranty issues with the manufacturer.
Members voted unanimously to approve the application.
During the four-hour meeting, committee members also unanimously voted to approve viNGN’s ARPA application for the installation of Wi-Fi access points in Drake’s Passage and the Grand Galleria. Concerns about the aesthetic of the access points were raised, with some committee members inquiring about painting the access points or placing them closer to existing objects on the buildings, such as a light fixture, to minimize their visibility.
“It is about the visual,” said Rodriguez.
The board then heard from Lilibet Foster, who requested masonry repairs to a historic retaining wall, installation of new doors, gates, a concealed backup power generator, and solar panels to the Galleon House Restaurant, and approved the application unanimously.
Additionally, committee members unanimously voted to approve an application for Chicken of the Caribbean. Jonny Tindall, who spoke on behalf of the business, presented a revised design that included the addition of roof hood fans, a compressor unit, removal of the existing power meter and signpost at the northwest corner of the site, and the installation of a permanent power meter panel and weather head pole.
Customizations for Royal Dane Mall were also approved. Paul Silverberg requested the committee’s approval for exterior painting, new windows and doors, new lettered signage on the south side, the creation of an open courtyard through the demolition of existing walls, and the replacement of existing wooden stairs with concrete stairs on the north side of the mall site.
Committee members William Newbold, Colette Burgess, and Enrique Rodriguez were present.
