May 17, 2006 – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has no current plans to sell the Paul M. Pearson Gardens housing community on St. Thomas, according to Delegate Donna M. Christensen.
Responding to a letter sent early Wednesday by Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone, Christensen said in a press release that she "received assurances months ago" from the department that there were no truth to rumors that have been circulating around the island about the sale.
"At the time, I took the opportunity to put HUD on notice that I would oppose any plan that does not come from the people of the community and is not supported by them," she wrote.
In his letter, Malone explained that residents had heard the housing community was going to be demolished so that new "high-end" condominiums could be built. "They are all extremely concerned that this is happening as a result of the new mega-yacht marina development … which is located directly across the street from the PMP community," he wrote.
However, Christensen's statement was confirmed by Mary Varlack, the property manager of PMP Gardens, who said when contacted Tuesday evening that she has also been approached by several residents and senators about the matter. "So far there has been no indication given by the V.I. Housing Authority that the rumors are true," she said.
Calls made Tuesday afternoon to Michael Hollis, who manages the V.I. Housing Authority on behalf of HUD, were not returned.
The V.I. Housing Authority controls PMP Gardens, along with other housing communities throughout the territory.
