The Virgin Islands Senate passed a package of legislation on Thursday that included $1.5 million in new funding for the Paul E. Joseph Stadium in Frederiksted, contingent on the Department of Public Works confirming that construction work is finished.
The stadium project has stretched for over a decade, with completion repeatedly delayed. In mid-September, the Acting Public Works Commissioner reported the work was roughly three-quarters done, with a target finish of December 31. The overall contract value sits at approximately $32.1 million, of which $27.7 million has been completed and paid.
The funding came via an amendment sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis Jr., who chairs the Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee. The money will be drawn from the General Fund to cover amounts still owed on the stadium contract.
Senators also moved forward with three other major bills. Legislation creating a police reserve corps within the V.I. Police Department cleared the chamber 14-0. The measure would recruit qualified former law enforcement officers to address staffing shortages in the department.
A second bill establishing a formal emergency medical services framework in territorial law passed by the same margin. The bill sets out licensing standards for ambulance operators, training institutions and paramedics. Its sponsor noted that emergency medical services had operated under only a 1979 executive order with no statutory foundation.
Third, senators backed a malpractice reform bill 14-0 that raises the cap on patient recovery from $250,000 to $400,000 and extends the window for filing bodily injury claims from two years to four. Lawmakers heard testimony that residents evacuated off-island for serious medical treatment sometimes ran out of time to pursue legal action under the old deadline.
In a unanimous 15-0 vote, the chamber awarded the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor to three individuals: former Senator Adelbert "Bert" Bryan, journalist Rena Brodhurst and rancher Hans Lawaetz. Queen Street in Frederiksted will be renamed to honor Bryan. Brodhurst was recognized for her work in journalism and cultural preservation, while Lawaetz received the award for his cattle ranching contributions on St. Croix.
The Senate also approved funding for rehabilitation of the Frederiksted Fish Market and a chronic care initiative at the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence. Additional measures cleared the way for potential hotel development and housing projects on both St. Croix and St. Thomas through zoning changes.
All bills now await the governor's review.
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