Knud Hansen Complex STE 1 • 1303 Hospital Ground • St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802-6722 • (340) 774-1166 
3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00820 • (340) 718-2980 
 
 
June 28, 2022 
 
Jean-Pierre L. Oriol 
Commissioner 
Department of Planning and Natural Resources  
Charles W. Turnbull Regional Library 
4607 Tutu Park Mall St. Thomas, VI 00802 
 
Re:  
Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Request for Federal Consistency for the 
Selective Demolition and Reconstruction of the Minetta Mitchell Administrative 
and Storage Building Facility in Crown Bay on St. Thomas  
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Feb. 9, 2018) 
Dear Commissioner Oriol: 
The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (VIDHS) respectfully request a Decision of Federal 
Consistency for the Selective Demolition and Reconstruction of the Minetta Mitchell Administrative and 
Storage Building Facility in Crown Bay on St. Thomas. VIDHS is proposing the selective demolition of 
the building and reconstruction of the existing building. The existing building and support structures 
located at No. 100 & 101 Fill Tract E Crown Bay, St Thomas suffered considerable damage during 
Hurricane Irma in September, 2017 and will be selectively demolished and reconstructed through 
funding provided by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Feb. 9, 2018). 
The existing building was originally constructed prior to sustaining some hurricane damage in the late 
80’s from Hurricane Hugo and more recently Hurricane Irma in 2017. Since the time of Hurricane Hugo 
in 1989, the Virgin Islands has adopted, first the Uniform Building Code for structures, and more 
recently, the International Building Code. Besides the existing poor condition of the building on site 
caused by damages from past hurricanes, it’s old construction cannot meet the structural requirements 
of the 2018 International Building Code. Furthermore, the existing structure cannot accommodate the 
program requirements for a functional facility. This request for Federal Consistency is for the selective 
demolition and reconstruction of an existing facility.  
The demolition phase will include the selective demolition of the existing 8” exterior concrete block walls 
and the removal all existing metal roof sheathing and insulation of the one-story building. The steel 
frame structure and concrete slab will remain. It is noted that the proposed demolition project will impact 
only previously disturbed areas associated with the removal of the existing building and pads and 
include some selective demolition related to some existing infrastructure systems. The proposed project 
is will increase support services required by the department’s Head Start Program on the island of St. 
Thomas. The proposed project will begin as soon as all approvals have been finalized and a 
construction schedule will be furnished once a contractor is selected 
Attached please find a Project Summary demonstrating the project's compliance with the U.S. Virgin 
Islands Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program and drawings of the proposed demolition and 
construction project. Please contact Deputy Commissioner, Miguel Tricoche, at 340-474-2489, or 
Miguel.Tricoche@dhs.vi.gov if you have any questions or concerns. 
Respectfully, 
 
Kimberley Causey-Gomez, MSW 
Commissioner 
cc:  
Anita E. Nibbs, DPNR - Environmental Planner Ill