USVIEDA's Enterprise Zone Commission to host viewing of proposed community plans
for the neighborhoods of Savanne and Downstreet on St. Thomas
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – December 9, 2016 - The U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA) announces that the Enterprise Zone Commission (EZC), an entity of the USVIEDA, invites the residents of Savanne and Downstreet and the general public to view and select from among proposed community plans that have been developed to help revitalize the neighborhoods of Savanne and Downstreet on St. Thomas. These proposed community plans will be on display at the former campaign headquarters of V.I. Senator Jean Forde on St. Thomas located downtown in the vicinity of Main Street next to the former Enid M. Baa Library and directly across from the Salvation Army. The community can view and cast their vote for one of two proposed community plans for Savanne and Downstreet on Thursday, December 15, 2016 from 9AM to 1PM; Friday, December 16, 2016 from 3PM to 7PM; and on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 9AM to 1PM.
The proposed community plans were designed for the community’s consideration by two teams of local design planners from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The design teams - led by Michael Stauffer and Stacy A. Bourne - will also deliver a presentation about their plans on December 15, 2016 at 10AM at the former campaign headquarters of V.I. Senator Jean Forde on St. Thomas.
"The community plan that receives the most votes will be selected and presented to the EZC Board of Directors to be approved as the official community plan for Savanne and Downstreet. Representatives from the USVIEDA and the Enterprise Zone Commission will also be present to answer questions at the viewing of the community plans," said USVIEDA Acting Chief Executive Officer Wayne L. Biggs, Jr.
According to the EZC, the community's full participation is necessary for the selection of the best plan that will represent the community's vision for the revitalization of Savanne and Downstreet. The community plan is designed to provide a road map for the economic, social and architectural development of these neighborhoods and should also reflect the vision of the communities of Savanne and Downstreet. Savanne-Downstreet is one of four designated enterprise zones in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The proposed community plans were initiated, in part, by a charrette, a series of town meetings and workshops that were held in Savanne and Downstreet in 2015. The EZC hosted the charrette at which the general public - along with panelists who specialize in various areas that affect community and area development - gathered together for an engaging meeting to share and exchange their ideas, opinions, recommendations, and possible solutions to the challenges that exist in Savanne and Downstreet. A consensus of these ideas and solutions that were shared at the charrette helped to initiate the development of the community plans that are proposed for Savanne and Downstreet.
The EZC assists residents and local small-business owners with rehabilitating properties that are located within designated enterprise zones in the Territory. The enterprise zones in the USVI are Garden Street-Upstreet and Savanne-Downstreet on St. Thomas, and Frederiksted and Christiansted on St. Croix.
For more information, contact the Director of the Enterprise Zone Commission, Nadine Marchena Kean, at 340-714-1700, ext. 256; or Enterprise Zone Specialist Raheem Smith at ext. 253. To learn more about the EZC, contact the USVIEDA office or visit www.usvieda.org.
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