The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority officially broke ground Thursday on the Concordia Convenience Center at Estate Concordia, marking a significant step in modernizing waste management infrastructure on St. Croix.
The Thursday ceremony marked the start of construction on a long-anticipated project to improve solid waste services, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen environmental protections for surrounding communities.
Once completed, the Concordia Convenience Center will replace the former open-bin disposal site with a modern, organized, and environmentally responsible facility designed to better serve residents. Officials described the project as a visible upgrade in how residential waste is managed on the island.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said the project reflects continued investment in infrastructure improvements across the territory.
“Today’s groundbreaking at Estate Concordia continues our progress to strengthen infrastructure and improve quality of life for Virgin Islands residents,” Bryan said. “This convenience center replaces an open-bin site with a cleaner, safer, modern facility that respects nearby communities and protects public health and the environment. We are staying focused on the issues that matter most to our people, and we are delivering practical improvements you can see and use.”
The Concordia project is part of VIWMA’s broader modernization strategy, with additional convenience centers expected in the near future as the authority continues upgrading facilities territorywide.
Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, director of the Office of Disaster Recovery, emphasized the role of federal funding in supporting the initiative and improving residents’ quality of life.
“Once completed, this project will improve environmental health and public safety,” Williams-Octalien said. She thanked the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority for serving as the grant recipient. She credited the Office of Disaster Recovery team for working with stakeholders to keep the project and funding on track.
Hannibal “Mike” Ware, executive director of VIWMA, described the facility as a major advancement for St. Croix and pledged a stronger focus on customer service and timely project delivery.
“Welcome to the new Waste Management Authority — an authority where projects like this will be more commonplace, where projects won’t be delayed but started and completed,” Ware said. He promised a more customer-focused agency with greater urgency in addressing infrastructure needs.
“The Concordia Convenience Center signifies a major advancement in modernizing and enhancing waste management infrastructure on St. Croix,” Ware added. “This project underscores our ongoing dedication to improving service delivery, safeguarding public health, and encouraging responsible environmental practices across the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
During the ceremony, officials also acknowledged that Estate Concordia was the site where Carlos Parilla, Fernando Santiago, and Omar Castillo lost their lives in a triple homicide earlier this year. The recognition added a solemn moment to the event as leaders emphasized the importance of restoring and improving the area.
The new center is expected to provide residents with a cleaner, safer, and more efficient location for residential waste disposal, reinforcing VIWMA’s mission to deliver sustainable and reliable waste management services throughout the territory.
The Concordia facility is part of VIWMA’s broader effort to address long-standing waste management challenges. Additional convenience centers are planned for Mon Bijou and Cotton Valley. Ware said at a January town hall meeting that the authority anticipates breaking ground on new projects approximately every four to five months as modernization efforts continue.
