Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources invites St. Thomas residents to join in the opportunity to enjoy our islands’ natural resources by exploring a wildlife sanctuary and marine reserve during a FREE kayak adventure from June 6 – 27.
Kayakers in the mangroves. (Photo courtesy Kitty Edwards)
“As part of our mission at the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encourage Virgin Islanders is to enjoy and appreciate all of our wonderful natural resources. We will be providing 200 FREE vouchers for a three-hour adventure of kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling with Virgin Islands EcoTours,” said Dr. Nicole Angeli, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Vouchers will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to current residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands beginning June 6.
Tours are three hours each and are available in the mornings, from 10 am to 1 pm, and afternoons from 2 pm to 5 pm, on June 6, June 13, June 20, and June 27.
Children must be at least 10 years old to participate and must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a limit of eight people per reservation, and each person may redeem one voucher only.
Participants will kayak through mangrove waterways, hike on Cas Cay, and witness tidal pools, volcanic cliffs, and a geological blowhole before paddling back to the Mangrove Lagoon Marina.
Each participant will be asked to complete a brief survey at the end of each tour as a requisite for participating in this program.
To make a reservation, call Virgin Islands EcoTours at 340-779-2155 or toll-free 1-877-684-2441 and mention the phrase DPNR-DFW2026 or visit https://viecotours.com/. For more information, call the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 340-775-6762 ext. 5201.
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources invites the public to help shape the future of two of the territory’s most treasured historic sites: Fort Christian Museum on St. Thomas and Fort Frederik Museum on St. Croix.
Fort Frederik in Frederiksted. (Photo courtesy DPNR)
As DPNR advances the conceptual planning phase for permanent exhibition design at both museums, the Department will host two virtual community town hall meetings to gather public input, ideas, and feedback before the exhibition design plans are finalized.
“We will be sharing possible content ideas around the interpretive narrative during the upcoming series of Town Hall Meetings, in which we seek feedback from the community,”Commissioner Oriol stated. “These museums belong to the people of the Virgin Islands, and their stories must reflect the depth, complexity, and richness of our collective history.”
DPNR, in collaboration with local experts, will present proposed interpretive themes, possible exhibit approaches, and design strategies for each fort museum prepared by the exhibition design firm Howard + Revis. The sessions will include a 15-minute presentation, community Q&A, and an opportunity for participants to provide additional feedback through an online survey.
• Government House – U.S. Virgin Islands Facebook Page
• DPNR Facebook Page
These meetings will explore possible content themes, interpretive goals, space planning considerations, and exhibition methods specific to each museum. While the sessions will not cover every content area in full detail, attendees will receive a meaningful overview of the proposed direction and will have the opportunity to share their perspectives.
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority advises the community that a pump failure has occurred due to mechanical issues at the Cancryn Bridge, located at the Kronprindsens Gade intersection.
As a result, sewer systems in the downtown area may be impacted, potentially causing manhole overflows. VIWMA strongly advises residents and pedestrians to avoid any standing water in the affected areas as a precautionary measure.
The Authority understands the inconvenience this situation may cause and appreciates the public’s cooperation and continued patience as crews work diligently toward implementing a permanent solution.
For more information, contact us at customer_care@viwma.org or communications@viwma.org, or call 340‑715‑9100 for St. Thomas or 340‑712‑4962 for St. Croix. Stay connected with VIWMA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates.
The Virgin Islands Trail Alliance is proud to announce the completion of a community stewardship project centered around the historic Estate Grove Baobab Tree on St. Croix.
The Estate Grove Baobab Tree. (Submitted photo)
The completed project included a tree health assessment, the removal of destructive termite nests, refreshed paint on the protective roadside posts and chains surrounding the site, the installation of a new interpretive sign sharing the history and cultural significance of the baobab and the Estate Grove Place area, and the addition of two handcrafted benches built by young people from My Brother’s Workshop.
The interpretive sign highlights both the botanical importance of the African baobab tree and the deep historical significance of Estate Grove Place, one of St. Croix’s best known historic plantation sites and later an important location connected to the St. Croix Labor Union and David Hamilton Jackson.
Botanical information for the sign was provided by Olasee Davis of the University of the Virgin Islands. Historical information was provided by George Tyson of the VI State Historic Preservation Office. The health of the tree was evaluated by Amy J. Dreves of UVI, whose guidance helped support efforts to protect the long-term well-being of the baobab tree.
The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture removed of the termite nests that had threatened the tree, helping preserve one of the territory’s most significant living landmarks.
The project was created to help preserve and honor a living piece of Crucian history while creating a welcoming space where residents and visitors can gather, reflect, and connect with the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
Special thanks are extended to the Estate Grove community, including The Grove Place Action Committee, the family of the late Ms. Magdalene Edney, and Ms. Olive Henry-Fergus for their support and permission to complete the work. Appreciation is also extended to the VI Department of Agriculture, the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Services,Amy J Dreves of UVI, George Tyson of the VI State Historic Preservation Office, Olasee Davis of the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Hiking Association, My Brother’s Workshop, CHANT, Black Heritage Tree Project, St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes, and all partners, volunteers, and community members who contributed to this effort.
The Virgin Islands Trail Alliance also recognizes the young craftsmen of My Brother’s Workshop for their work building the benches installed at the site.
Funding for this project is provided by the U.S Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. USDA and the Virgin Islands Trail Alliance, Inc. are equal opportunity providers and employers. For more information, visit vitrails.org.
About the Virgin Islands Trail Alliance (VITAL)
The Virgin Islands Trail Alliance (VITAL) is a nonprofit organization based in St. Croix, dedicated to creating pathways, nature trails, and community green spaces across the Virgin Islands.
Our work connects communities, promotes healthy lifestyles, and enhances the natural and built environment for residents and visitors of all ages. We are committed to strengthening environmental stewardship and building a more resilient future for the territory.
The Virgin Islands Port Authority would like to inform port users and the public that parking along the MSI/Crowley Access Road at the Crown Bay Cargo Port in St. Thomas is strictly prohibited. VIPA reminds the public that vehicular parking or staging equipment (trailers, ISO tanks, etc.) is not allowed along this road for safety reasons. Starting June 1, 2026, VIPA police officers will boot or tow any vehicles or equipment that violate the posted no-parking signs along the road. The boot removal and recovery fee will be $500 per vehicle or piece of equipment. VIPA appreciates the public’s cooperation.
SouthSea Rising is proud to announce the launch of Coral Rising: Land & Sea Pathways, a new interactive youth summer program taking place June 7–8 in St. Thomas.
A thriving coral ecosystem sits vibrantly in local waters. (Photo courtesy Allison Swan)
Developed in collaboration with UVI Reef Response, UVI Youth Ocean Explorers, and the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, Coral Rising is designed to introduce Virgin Islands youth ages 11–18 to agriculture, environmental learning, marine science, food pathways, and the blue economy through hands-on outdoor experiences.
Participants will move through interactive activities, environmental exploration, food-based learning, beach experiences, mentorship, and conversations focused on future opportunities connected to land, sea, sustainability, and island industries.
Founded by Virgin Islands-raised, Atlanta-based creative and community organizer Quianah Upton, SouthSea Rising was created to help connect young people in the Virgin Islands, Atlanta and Florida to new possibilities through environmental activities, mentorship, agriculture entrepreneurship, and pathway-based programming.
“Coral Rising is about helping young people see that there are opportunities connected to agriculture, ocean learning, food, and community right here in the Virgin Islands,” said Upton. “We want youth to feel connected to where they come from while also expanding what they believe is possible for their future.”
SouthSea Rising is a youth initiative that connects youth in Atlanta, through our program Soil To CEO, the Virgin Islands the Virgin Islands through our program Coral Rising, and Florida through agriculture, the blue economy, mentorship, and future pathways.
The long-term vision for Coral Rising includes expanding into recurring seasonal and multi-day programming, mentorship, workshops, college tours, and partnerships connecting Virgin Islands youth to environmental and agriculture-related opportunities throughout the VI, Atlanta and Florida.
Applications are now open for youth participation.
Veterans, elected officials, active-duty service members, and community members gathered Monday at Verne I. Richards Veterans Memorial Park on St. Croix to honor fallen military heroes during a solemn Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the American Legion Bromley Berkley Post 133.
Verne I. Richards Memorial Park was established in 1972 as a memorial site. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The ceremony paid tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States, while also recognizing the deep military legacy of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Today, we gather not merely to celebrate freedom, but to remember those who gave their lives defending it,” guest speaker Major Arthur R. Burton of the Virgin Islands Air National Guard told attendees. “Memorial Day is not just another holiday. It is more than cookouts, parades, or a long weekend. Memorial Day is our most sincere act of remembrance.”
Guest speaker Major Arthur R. Burton of the Virgin Islands Air National Guard prepares to set a wreath on the grave of the fallen soldiers. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The event opened with remarks from post leadership, who welcomed veterans, Gold Star families, government officials and members of the community.
“Today we gather not in celebration, but in solemn remembrance,” organizers said during the opening remarks. “Memorial Day is a sacred pause in the life of our nation, the moment when we turn our hearts toward the men and women who laid down their lives in service to the United States of America.”
V.I. Army National Guard salute during ceremony to pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States, while also recognizing the deep military legacy of the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
A proclamation from Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. was read by Command Chief Master Sgt. Neville Lee, officially proclaiming Monday, May 25, 2026, as Memorial Day in the Virgin Islands.
The proclamation reflected on the sacrifices of deceased service members and recognized the territory’s long-standing tradition of military service.
“By paying homage to the proud soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen members who have given their full measure of devotion for our great nation, we renew our commitment to upholding the ideals they fought and died to preserve,” the proclamation stated.
The 73rd Army Band, V.I. Army National Guard plays the national anthem and V.I. March. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
American Legion District 10 Commander Secundino Roman Cruz reminded attendees that Memorial Day represents far more than the unofficial start of summer.
“Today is not just a three-day weekend,” Cruz said. “We are here to remember the men and women who stood in the gap between freedom and tyranny, who served, who answered the call of duty, and who gave what President Abraham Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion.”
Cruz also addressed Gold Star families directly, acknowledging the lifelong grief carried by families of fallen service members.
“While the nation grieves our fallen on this specific day, we know that you carry the weight of their absence every single day,” he said.
Burton’s keynote address highlighted the military creeds of each branch of service, connecting them to the sacrifices made by fallen troops.
“These creeds are not simply traditions,” Burton said. “They are declarations of service, declarations of loyalty, declarations of sacrifice, and declarations of love.”
He also reflected on the Virgin Islands’ contributions to the armed forces.
“We remember the Virgin Islander who left these shores in service to this nation and never returned,” Burton said. “Because of them, we are free to gather here today. Because of them, our flag still flies.”
A music selection performed by Zinnia Richards from the St. Patrick Catholic School. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett spoke about the territory’s military service record and ongoing efforts to advocate for veterans and military families in Washington.
“Our islands may be small in size, but they are immense in their contributions to the United States military,” Plaskett said. “There are few places in the United States with higher per capita rates of military service than the United States Virgin Islands.”
Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett prepares to set wreath on the memorial at Verne I. Richards Veterans Memorial Park. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
She noted that Virgin Islanders have served in every major conflict involving the United States, even before residents were granted full citizenship.
Plaskett also highlighted legislation and federal initiatives aimed at improving health care access, housing assistance and employment opportunities for veterans, including support for TRICARE Prime access and tax incentives for businesses hiring veterans and reservists.
“Too often the sacrifices of territorial veterans go unseen,” she said. “Too often our islands are an afterthought in the national conversation. We must honor those who have fallen by how we honor this day and how we treat those in service now.”
Representing the Bryan administration, St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes encouraged residents to continue honoring fallen service members.
“This should be filled to capacity,” Sanes said, referring to the crowd gathered at the park. “This is the day we remember those individuals who gave us this opportunity to stand, to talk, to express our views.”
St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes carefully places a wreath on the memorial during a ceremony in honor of the soldiers who have sacrificed their life for their country. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Following the remarks, organizers proceeded with a roll call honoring deceased veterans from May 2025 to May 2026, followed by the placing of wreaths, rifle salute and the placing of roses in the ocean. Those names were John A. Fought, Lionel A. Andreas, Marjorie Ann Drummond, Robert P. Yearwood, Courtney W. Woods, Bernard Christian, Selassie A. Newton, Raul A. Garcia, Christian Olaf Christensen, James A. Maynard, Gordon M. Haynes, John C. DeGrasse, Alric M. Battiste, Richard A. Schrader, John A. Bell, and Andres Avila-Esperanza.
Roses were placed in the ocean in remembrance of those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Government officials and family members of veterans release white birds at the end of a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)
The Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the American Legion, held a Memorial Day ceremony Monday on St. Thomas honoring service members from the U.S. Virgin Islands who died in military service.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Senate President Milton Potter, other officials, veterans, families and community members attended the event. The program included remarks, a roll call of deceased veterans from St. Thomas and St. John, wreath-laying and the release of 100 birds by relatives of the fallen and government officials.
Speakers throughout the ceremony focused on military sacrifice, civic participation and remembrance. Potter said Memorial Day served as a reminder that the freedoms Americans exercise today were secured through military service and sacrifice.
Senate President Milton E. Potter delivers remarks during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday in front of waving flags. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)
“There’s a silence that settles over a cemetery on Memorial Day that you really cannot find anywhere else. It’s not the silence of emptiness, it’s the silence of weight,” he said. “The accumulated weight of every life laid down, and every family that watched their loved one go and waited for a return that never came.”
He said those freedoms carry a cost that should shape how they are used.
“Every freedom we exercise — to speak, to worship, to vote, to assemble right here in this public space — was bought at a price that we did not pay,” Potter said. He added that the cost of that sacrifice is carried by families. “To those families here today, we do not only honor those whose names are carved in stone, we honor you,” he said.
He said gratitude for the fallen must translate into action. “The least we owe to those freedoms is to use them with intention: to build something, to lift someone, to refuse the easy cynicism that says none of this matters,” Potter said. “It matters. They matter.”
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. delivers remarks during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)
Bryan framed the Memorial Day ceremony as a reminder that the country’s current stability and systems were shaped through generations of service and sacrifice. He said many of the conditions Americans live with today, including peace at home and access to public services, should not be taken for granted.
“Every single thing that we enjoy in this country today — this peace, this calm — is not to be taken for granted,” Bryan said. “It’s not something that everybody has.”
He connected that idea to civic responsibility, particularly voting. “The most powerful right that we should be grateful for is the right to exercise our vote that decides who leads us, who represents us,” Bryan said. “They died for that.”
“The greatest way we recognize and honor them is not only today, but every single day we wake up in a country where we are free to determine our destiny because of them,” Bryan said.
“We are here today to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said American Legion Cmdr. Hillis Benjamin. “They left behind families, friends, dreams and futures so that we could continue to enjoy the liberties we often take for granted.”
After the speeches, organizers read a roll call of veterans from St. Thomas and St. John who died between May 2025 and May 2026. Wreaths were placed in the cemetery, and family members and government officials were invited to participate in the ceremonial release of birds.
“May we always remember those who answered the call and never returned home,” Benjamin said. “Their watch has ended. Ours continues.”
Members of American Legion Post 131, public officials and community supporters gathered Monday at Franklin Powell Sr. Park on St. John for a Memorial Day ceremony honoring service members who died in service to the nation. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Members of American Legion Post 131 on St. John gathered with public officials and supporters to honor members of the armed forces who lost their lives in service to the nation. Memorial Day in Franklin Powell Sr. Park provided the setting for a brief but memorable ceremony.
The part most passersby, taxi drivers and customers in a parkside restaurant will likely remember was the rifle shots fired after the reading of the roll of veterans from St. Thomas-St. John, who died since the last observance. Legionnaire Frank Powell Jr. called off 38 names, followed by the rifle salute.
But Sen. Avery Lewis, a scheduled speaker, shared a comment made to him by a member of the public. ”Earlier this morning, someone approached two senators and made a great observation that the flag on Memorial Day should be flown at half-staff until Noon, and then they should be raised to full mast,” Lewis said, “I wanted to say that I loved and appreciated that because sometimes it’s the little simple things that we forget.”
There was also the release of doves at the ceremony’s end by lawmakers Lewis and Angel Bolques, St. John Administrator Shakima Jones-Sprauve, Nellie Varlack representing Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, and members of the American Legion Auxiliary. Photographers snapped as the group flung newfound feathered friends into the air.
But perhaps the most memorable remarks came as the event wrapped up when members of Post 131 spoke to the Source about what Memorial Day meant to them.
“A lot of remembrance of my friends; I went to a military school and I saw one of them die. They didn’t send me to Vietnam — I went to Germany instead … I owe a lot to my friends and Post 131,” said Army Corps of Engineers veteran Jerry Runyon.
Public officials and members of the American Legion Auxiliary prepare to release doves in Franklin Powell Park on Memorial Day. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Marine veteran Aubrey Sewer said Memorial Day was a reminder, “that we are proud to live in America and proud to have served in the armed forces.”
Navy vet Alvis Christian said the day reminded him, “of a lot of brothers who died and went for our freedom.” In November 2023, Christian testified before the Legislature on behalf of Kendall Emanuel George, a childhood friend from Coral Bay who was killed in Vietnam.
“Memorial Day is when we honor those veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice; who didn’t make it back home, and so we give God thanks for their souls and hope that one day no one will go back to fight wars again,” said Post 131 Commander Harry Daniel, a retired Army Master Sergeant.
Frank Powell Jr. — better known by his nickname, Jimmy — Memorial Day was a time to reconnect with fellow vets. “Visiting the passed service members and meeting with the others — the veterans and the Legionnaires,” he said, adding he looked forward to a trip with his wife to Kentucky to meet more vets stateside.
Powell served two years in the United States Army.
And Edmund Roberts, a six-year Army vet who helped train recruits for Vietnam, shed a tear for his fellow Virgin Islanders whose names made this year’s roll of the honored dead.
“They passed away,” he said. A tourist walking past the park stopped and thanked him for his service.
Site plan view of the planned Residences at 340 North development in Estate St. Joseph and Rosendahl on St. Thomas. (Submitted photo)
Momentum continues building behind a planned 80-unit housing development overlooking Magens Bay, where developers say months of financing work, federal approvals, environmental reviews, and planning efforts are beginning to give way to the next major push: permits, procurement, and eventually breaking ground.
The Residences at 340 North in Estate St. Joseph and Rosendahl, is aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities on St. Thomas and is now entering a new phase as developers report progress through financing, environmental review, and procurement milestones, according to
When the Source first reported on the project in March 2025, plans called for 64 townhomes and 16 detached single-family homes across approximately 11 acres overlooking Magens Bay. Led by St. Thomas-based A.C. Development, the development team includes St. Thomas native and civil engineer Ajani Corneiro, Director of Communicaions and Brand Strategy Kadeem Huggins, Director of Operations Lindeon Davis, and Jorrell Fredericks, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Brand Management. Designed primarily around middle-income and first-time homebuyers, developers have previously described the effort as a project “by Virgin Islanders, for Virgin Islanders.”
Since then, Corneiro said on a recent call with the Source that the team has spent months navigating financing approvals, federal compliance requirements, environmental studies, and permitting reviews — a process they describe as extensive but necessary to move the project toward construction.
Through work with the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and Community Development Block Grant funding requirements, the development has completed its environmental review period, cleared HUD public comment requirements, and secured approval allowing grant funding to continue advancing through the federal process, though developers said compliance requirements remain before funds are ultimately released. Confirmed is also approximately $7.5 million in grant funding will support the project’s first 22 affordable units. Those units will carry income qualifications and affordability requirements tied to federal housing guidelines, Corneiro said.
The financing and compliance side has also required substantial preparation behind the scenes. Corneiro credited Housing Finance Authority staff with helping guide developers through technical assistance, procurement requirements, compliance reviews, fraud prevention and waste training programs, homeownership program coordination, and federal policy requirements intended to ensure submissions meet standards before advancing further through review. He also said extensive front-end preparation has helped avoid significant revisions or delays during federal processing.
Environmental compliance — often one of the largest hurdles facing major development projects — represented another major milestone. Consultants conducted studies examining air quality, stormwater impacts, streams, construction noise, surrounding environmental conditions, and potential concerns involving native and endangered species. Corneiro and Huggins shared that said additional measures were also incorporated into planning efforts to minimize environmental impacts during construction and long-term neighborhood use. The work builds on commitments Corneiro first outlined publicly last year involving native landscaping components, tree preservation efforts, and strategies intended to address environmental considerations identified during planning.
The proposed 80-unit community is designed to include townhomes, single-family residences, shared community spaces, and infrastructure improvements aimed at expanding housing opportunities for middle-income and first-time homebuyers. (Submitted photo)
Several previously announced building features also remain part of the plan, including Insulated Concrete Form construction technology, or ICF — which the development team previously said would make the community the first in the Caribbean to utilize the building approach at this scale. Corneiro has said the system creates stronger, more energy-efficient homes through insulated wall construction designed to improve durability while lowering long-term energy costs. High-efficiency appliances and low-consumption fixtures are also expected to be included throughout the community.
Corneiro also said the design itself has continued evolving around the site’s natural terrain rather than attempting to eliminate it. Located on steeply sloping property overlooking Magens Bay, the neighborhood concept includes building into portions of the hillside to maximize usable space while incorporating gathering areas and community amenities intended to encourage interaction among residents. Potential agricultural components and shared neighborhood spaces are also under discussion as features developers say are intended to support neighborhood activity and shared space.
As construction moves closer, the development team is also encouraging prospective buyers to begin preparing now. Corneiro said future homeowners should focus on filing taxes consistently, organizing employment documentation, understanding debt-to-income ratios, reducing unnecessary debt where possible, and learning what financing programs may help support homeownership. First-time homebuyer education and understanding lending requirements early, developers said, can help residents position themselves more successfully before entering the mortgage approval process.
Beyond housing supply itself, Corneiro estimates the project’s first phase could generate more than $16 million in construction-related economic activity during an estimated 18-to-24-month build period. He and Huggins said they hope local contractors, tradespeople, apprentices, and smaller businesses position themselves now to participate as opportunities expand. The first phase covers only 22 units, with dozens more homes remaining in the pipeline over the years ahead.
Attention now turns toward permitting approvals and procurement timelines. Contractor qualification requests were issued May 15. A mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m., written questions are due by May 31 at 11:59 p.m., a question-and-answer addendum is expected June 7, and contractor qualifications submissions are due June 14 at 5 p.m. Developers said procurement for the project is being managed through the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority’s Ion Wave platform — a system they said is intended to create a more structured and transparent process for firms seeking opportunities tied to the development — as the project continues pushing toward construction.
At the same time, the team says work continues with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources as permitting moves forward. Corneiro said the goal remains breaking ground as soon as possible, with the team particularly mindful of timing as hurricane season approaches. “If we’re moving dirt in the high point of hurricane season … that’s not a good spot we want to be in,” he said, noting they want to stabilize the site early while continuing to move methodically through approvals. For now, Corneiro said the focus remains on lining up contractors, maintaining momentum, and positioning the project to move quickly once permits are secured.
