ODR Announces the Start of Phase I of the CAHS Demolition Project

February 10, 2025

ODR Announces the Start of Phase I of the CAHS Demolition Project

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR), in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), is excited to announce the commencement of Phase I of the Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) demolition project on St. Thomas. Contractor Grade-All Heavy Equipment, Inc. mobilized last week installing a trailer and security fencing as well as clearing an access road to minimize the disruption of demolition activities.

“This project is being led by ODR’s SuperPMO office under the Rebuild USVI initiative. The contractor started working on limited demolition activities, clearing the areas between buildings to connect the access roads so that the demolition of buildings can begin,” said ODR Director Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien. “Dust control and safety measures are in place, and the archaeologist is onsite to comply with federal requirements. All the pieces are in place to begin the first major school reconstruction project on St. Thomas.”

Grade-All will start with Building C along the north end of the property, move down to Building B and then A. The area of disturbance has already been fenced off and safely separated from the existing school and community. Access to and from the site will be provided off Polyberg Drive through the west end of the property.

The contractor has assured ODR and VIDE that they will continuously spray water on active areas, cover down materials as they are hauled off-site, and clean any project-related debris or spills on paved roads. The Super PMO and VIDE, as well as its representatives, will monitor all construction operations to ensure the site remains safe and that the project remains on schedule with as minimal disruption as possible.

“This is progress, and we are excited to share the start of the project’s first phase,” said VIDE Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington. “We are working closely with the SuperPMO and Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance to bring the territory’s vision for new schools to reality.”

The design-build contract was awarded to Consigli/Benton Joint Venture, who will continue to finalize the designs and prepare the necessary scopes for the second phase of demolition and subsequent reconstruction of the new CAHS.

The Virgin Islands Office of Disaster Recovery remains committed to supporting the residents of the Virgin Islands through recovery and reconstruction efforts, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for the territory.

The Office of Disaster Recovery

“Building a Legacy of Resilience”