Virtual Community Meeting Planned Sept. 3 to Discuss Demolition of Arthur A. Richards Jr. High School

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) Division of Operations will hold the first of several virtual community meetings at 3 p.m., Thurs., Sept., 3 on the Department’s Facebook page to share details of the first phase of the demolition of the Arthur A. Richards Junior High School, which was severely damaged during 2017’s Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and ultimately received approval by FEMA for demolition and total rebuild. The $3.8 million contract to raze St. Croix’s western-most school has been signed and a notice to proceed has been issued.  

According to Chaneel Callwood-Daniels, VIDE architect, the purpose of the meeting is to introduce St. Croix-based contractor Consolidated Asphalt and Civil Works, LLC to the community, share important details of the project timeline, and to capture community feedback. 

The meeting is open to the general public, but St. Croix residents living in and around the Stoney Ground neighborhood where the school is located are urged to attend. 

Arthur A. Richards is the first of two public schools slated to begin demolition in 2020. Charlotte Amalie High School’s Buildings A and B are planned for demolition in the coming months.  

For more information on the Department of Education’s plans to build new public schools in the USVI, visit www.newschoolsvide.com.