Gov. Kenneth Mapp on Saturday told the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands that he will soon unveil plans for a $230 million modernization of Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas.
Addressing the LWV at its annual meeting Saturday at E’s Garden Teahouse, Mapp said he will announce the project in June, and in June. The public will soon be invited to community charrettes with the V.I. Port Authority to discuss planned improvements, he said.
The governor thanked those in Washington D.C. who have supported the recovery effort.
“There were one or two items that did not make it through,” he said. “However, we are still working on them.”
Mapp also discussed hurricane recovery, long-term resiliency efforts, tourism, education and other issues during the session, which included a lengthy question and answer session with LWV members.
“We have a very bright future ahead,” he said. “But it will require hard work, real tough decisions and creating, establishing and maintaining very strong, vibrant, and positive relationships with our private partners.”
League Vice President Gwen-Marie Moolenaar commended the governor for his presentations to Congress.
“It is clear that you are admired in Washington because we would not have been getting this amount of money so that we could do these things for our hospitals, schools, WAPA, the highways and (to create) all of the job opportunities,” she said.
Moolenaar noted some concerns, however, with plans to accommodate larger cruise ships, which could create the potential for increased congestion.
FEMA Coordinating Officer Bill Vogel also attended Saturday’s session to unpate the group on the territory’s recovery. Vogel represents FEMA Region II, which encompasses the states of New Jersey and New York, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Native American Tribes in the region.
Vogel told League members that FEMA will be in the Territory as long as is necessary.
“There is still much work to do,” he said.
