VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure & Planning 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands PRESENTED BY: ADRIENNE L. WILLIAMS-OCTALIEN DIRECTOR March 24, 2026 TESTIMONY Office of Disaster Recovery Committee of Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Testimony March 24, 2026 Good Morning, Honorable Senator Ray Fonseca, Chairman of the 36th Legislature's Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, distinguished members of the committee, fellow testifiers, and the listening and viewing audience. I am Adrienne L. Williams Octalien, Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery, and unfortunately, I am unable to attend today’s hearing due to scheduling conflicts. However, the ODR has prepared the following testimony in response to the Committee’s request for a status update on the progress of the Departments of Health and Human Services' disaster recovery projects in the US Virgin Islands. Under Rebuild USVI, there are eight Department of Health and Department of Human Services facilities, and all eight have executed contracts in place. Relatedly, within the Territorial Hospital Redevelopment Team portfolio, two contracts have been executed, and one is in solicitation. Department of Health • ODR has executed a contract with Consigli/Benton Joint Venture in April 2025 for the rebuild of the Charles Harwood Medical Complex, renamed the Donna M. Christian Christensen Health Center. Sitework is ongoing and completion is scheduled for the end of 2029. • The Frederiksted WIC Building renovation project is currently pending a FEMA amendment to revise the scope of work and for additional funding. Upon approval, DOH will proceed to the construction phase. • A contract for the St. Thomas healthcare bundle was executed with Suffolk Construction Company, which includes three DOH facilities. The design for the Juel T. Molloy Complex is 30% complete. Construction is expected to begin in Spring of 2027 and completed by the end of 2029. • Programming and design optimization for the John S. Moorehead building is underway. Renovation efforts will begin in Spring 2027. Construction is anticipated to be completed before the end of 2029. Office of Disaster Recovery Committee of Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Testimony March 24, 2026 • The Old Mental Health Building is scheduled for demolition in August 2026, and the site will be replaced with a parking lot. • Morris deCastro Clinic is part of the St John Bundle awarded to the Consigli Benton Joint Venture. Construction is targeted to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a projected finish in the second quarter of 2028. The team is currently optimizing the design to ensure alignment with the construction budget. Department of Human Services The Department of Human Services has several projects in process: • The Queen Louise Home for the Aged was included in the STT Healthcare bundle. Programming is complete, which includes space planning to best serve the community's needs. Construction is projected to start in February 2027 with completion in early Fall 2029. • The Queen Louise Temporary Repairs is under contract with Custom Builders. Repairs are expected to be completed in January 2027. • The contract for the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged was executed with J. Benton Construction, LLC. The design is underway and Construction is anticipated to start in the first quarter of 2027 and finish by the fourth quarter of 2028. Several Headstart projects are nearing completion. The Anna’s Hope Administration Building and the Concordia Head Start are both 95% completed with a target substantial completion date of April 2026. On the island of St. Thomas, the Lindbergh Bay Head Start and the Minetta Mitchell Nutrition Center are both 95% completed with a finish in April 2026. The Bolongo Bay Head Start is 80% completed with a finish date of May 2026. Hospitals Office of Disaster Recovery Committee of Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Testimony March 24, 2026 • The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute was substantially completed in March 2026. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment enabling projects are expected to be complete for a summer opening. • The demolition of the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center is scheduled to start towards the end of 2026, and construction will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2028. The project is under contract with Consigli Benton Joint Venture. • ODR executed a contract with Suffolk Construction Company for the rebuild of the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center. Demolition of the existing hospital is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, with construction completion expected in the second quarter of 2031. Several enabling projects are expected to be completed in time for the start of demolition. The project is pending final Environmental approval from FEMA. • The Roy L. Schneider Hospital project is currently in solicitation. Proposals are due May 8, 2026. In conclusion, a close, collaborative partnership between ODR, DOH, THRT and DHS has been vital to advancing disaster recovery efforts. In this collaborative process, agencies are responsible for determining the required size and function of their facilities, and the ODR executes the construction within cost and schedule and in adherence to the scope. We are determined to deliver these projects and will continue working together to create modern healthcare facilities that will truly benefit everyone in our Territory. Honorable Senators, we appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony concerning the status of the recovery. Thank you.