CRUZ BAY —The National Park Service (NPS) announced the extension of the public comment period on an initial set of concepts that could guide the redevelopment of Caneel Bay at Virgin Islands National Park in St. John.
The public comment period, which began on Januart 18, will now be extended for 15 additional days through March 4.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer the public additional time to share their thoughts on the future of Caneel Bay,” said Virgin Islands National Park Superintendent Nigel Fields. “Working together is crucial to creating the best possible future for Caneel Bay. We look forward to continuing to receive the public’s feedback through March 4.”
The NPS began planning for the Caneel Bay redevelopment last fall. The goals of the redevelopment plan are to ensure the preservation and protection of natural, cultural and marine resources, provide for economic development opportunities through commercial services, maximize operational efficiencies and ensure compliance with law, regulation and policy. In line with these objectives, four preliminary redevelopment options are proposed for the public to comment on.
To submit comments and find additional project information, including a civic engagement newsletter and a recorded presentation on the redevelopment options, please visit the Caneel Bay Redevelopment project page at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CaneelBayRedevelopment.
Written comments may also be hand-delivered or mailed to the park headquarters at: Caneel Bay Redevelopment and Management Plan c/o Superintendent Nigel Fields 1300 Cruz Bay Creek St. John, VI 00830 www.nps.gov
About Caneel Bay: Caneel Bay currently operates under a retained use estate (RUE), a unique arrangement crafted by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1983, setting aside the 150-acre resort for independent operation and management within Virgin Islands National Park without NPS oversight. The NPS expects to assume full responsibility for the property when the RUE expires on September 30, 2023.
The resort was severely damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and remains mostly closed. In addition to long being an economic driver on the island, Caneel Bay is also an important cultural and historical site and the location of the 1733 Akwamu Slave Rebellion, one of the first sustained revolts of enslaved people in the Americas.
Current information about the NPS redevelopment of Caneel Bay is available at go.nps.gov/CaneelBay. About the National Park Service.
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
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