[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6682933,"mediaKeyId","2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2","parentId",2364559,"title","ODR: $23.7 billion recovery portfolio, new SuperPMO and push to speed spending before 2035 deadline","audioSeconds",1712,"startMs",1903000,"endMs",3615000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2&start=1903&end=3615","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2/thumbnail_1903000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6682933/ODR-237-billion-recovery-portfolio-new-SuperPMO-and-push-to-speed-spending-before-2035-deadline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682933-6a16505ad1b5ed650c62cf9b409fd930/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692530&Signature=Bo4PhrWCdWZlrhxSG~bCNv~laFiEKtnxl-4xpdz1JO0b0wO-sTCeOkhxSSpricWLT0tpjnFZqkBw836lT-nhoemn9MSGLiepEhKM~r1w15-ruNOOuq4icWtLoOh7ciNj4zn98xLDw8VI8aZT3~GrH1IbRTe5AV481Vdtagf6gtiD1H~kGd3pqoSNYVKcUrwASQXL5ShXmp6IbQldMlXQZ3jRebMhWIgWfWNrAqSID6pKHIfLoeSRZ3z0JtQr~1Gzhrb4ZwTp-8gSFRyeE51Tsr4RQdF-~4dc2V1GpdMBR5Q0XiXV~B0~GkHRL8sguyQXbpx8nXigUN2ZdvXGy~IaXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virgin Islands Legislature","date","2025-02-20T19:54:45.3Z","article","The Office of Disaster Recovery briefed the Legislature's Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning on Feb. 20, 2025, saying the territory's recovery portfolio has grown to about $23.7 billion in obligations and that the Super Project Management Office (SuperPMO) has been launched to coordinate large rebuild packages.

\"We get the funds, spend the funds, and spend them correctly,\" said Adrianne L. Williams Octalin, director of the Office of Disaster Recovery, as she opened the agency's update on operations and project status.

Why it matters: The territory must complete fixed-cost projects or face a higher local cost share. ODR told senators it must sharply accelerate spending to meet federal deadlines set for projects tied to FEMA programs.

Key figures and sources
- ODR said anticipated overall obligations rose from roughly $8.0 billion to $23.7 billion as of January 2025.
- ODR reported roughly $3.8 billion has been expended to date across recovery programs; the agency said FEMA public assistance is the ","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02-20-2025 | Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning","oneSentenceSummary","The Office of Disaster Recovery told the Legislature's committee on Feb. 20 that obligations for recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria have grown to about $23.7 billion and that it has created a Super Project Management Office to coordinate large rebuild bundles.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands","taxId",77876,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6682919,"Residents say LBJ Gardens demolition began without notice; HFA and ODR to hold March town hall",435,3297000,3732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2&start=3297&end=3732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2/thumbnail_3297000.jpg","/articles/6682919/Residents-say-LBJ-Gardens-demolition-began-without-notice-HFA-and-ODR-to-hold-March-town-hall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682919-1b0f789ac33338c2c41045db71006349/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692530&Signature=LjhHP00DcgxKekPw5SW4~9JuDWnBziqMP9Wwdjpm32FG3xgkuIu4pj3sdRq27Z5FiIDzmOdl25tiBCJN1OCHLnc7sULeG2nesGBqkowlnuABt4AwUQk7JfCWQrjlUiOrEX6KMA4Zlofxp5SeziwAXrRAhEjKlekIgwDqpq7~wuyBXzAs9Co8GKWn~ss0WrLGMlw97IkdVfQaTTytnMsqVgc~cmiEn-zGtqBZvdsRsdwYWELjJJaE7fU9IClEUuFyvQ3yRye0wY9H70YDSoussLwB2EG9WlvHQ8lhOBJZOYrMdycyBPyKgT1IGKQKqX~Q~IDy20soHWfQqcSsG2Fd1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents near LBJ Gardens raised concerns that demolition activity began before they received official notice and that work damaged cisterns and household water supplies. Several senators described calls from constituents and pressed the Housing Finance Authority for immediate action.

\"The contractor got ahead of us,\" said Dana Clendenin, chief operating officer and chief disaster recovery officer at VIHFA, acknowledging that demolition activity began before the planned resident notification and that all work has since stopped. Clendenin said the agency planned outreach and a letter to residents and would convene a town hall with other agencies.

Senators and officials agreed on two immediate steps: stop work where residents have complaints, and hold a joint town hall (HFA said the meeting is scheduled for March 19) so residents can speak with HFA, ODR and other agencies about water testing, relocation assistance and any financial commitments from the executive branch. Executive Director Eugene E. Jones Jr. said the March 19 meeting will invite other agencies to respond to residents' concerns.

Officials' acknowledgements and next steps
- Clendenin said demolition work paused and that HFA will send staff to assess water, cisterns and other reported damage.
- Jones and Clendenin said they would review existing correspondence (senators pointed to a March 18, 2024 letter) and explore options including acquisition or relocation support if allowable under grant rules.
- Both agencies noted that grant compliance and environmental requirements can constrain some options but pledged to investigate potential pathways, including acquisition or buyouts where allowed.

Senators pressed for quicker engagement with residents and for ODR/VIHFA to return to the committee with a clear plan for immediate resident assistance and a longer-term relocation or buyout assessment.","Demolition activity at LBJ Gardens drew sharp questions from senators after residents reported water and cistern damage. Housing Finance Authority officials said a contractor started work before planned community notification; HFA and ODR officials scheduled a March 19 town hall and said they would assess relocation and buyout options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6682923,"Envision Tomorrow: 43 homes complete, 101 under construction; ODR cites applicant, permitting and workforce delays",963,2562000,3525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2&start=2562&end=3525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2/thumbnail_2562000.jpg","/articles/6682923/Envision-Tomorrow-43-homes-complete-101-under-construction-ODR-cites-applicant-permitting-and-workforce-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682923-f09cbe0507e3a378d8d8b38357dc9130/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692530&Signature=ntd7may5XaCeezU6JH9vitYLePVuYfSy9~iqqO5HZeKDNqGP2jOh5GkNlW9PoEqBk4OFZIFMNbsFnxwHpMwSxZ10lFlnlAxNB6hjQ5Wtex4aeRc8a66l3VZOb9-Qt9LJL84PBZlVSf5dstvOvqFcU2F3EoUmg5CxuCIMD1Yqvu6HUbjCOtQW4B4tChW-eQkaITvlMDv9zsLbYjCV5yl2IdFaGJ3YgeXqyDqdb~gHRFE0jWY7eZSFNLzmEk5CfGtWKOrH0VzNugfA-tgaENvo96GJrSsHel7svT3SzoySFtTRHbAR600sJNIdoElROZ4sD-yU8YXy~g8hQR9fKcD0BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of Disaster Recovery reported details and challenges for Envision Tomorrow, the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) home-repair and rebuild initiative.

\"The program follows a structured process to assist eligible applicants in rebuilding and repairing their homes,\" ODR Chief Program Officer Jamila Haines told senators, describing intake, damage inspections, environmental assessment, income recertification, grouping homes into bid solicitations and then construction and turnover.

Program status and numbers (ODR testimony)
- ODR said 43 Envision homes have been completed.
- ODR said 101 homes are in active construction (68 on St. Croix, 31 on St. Thomas, 2 on St. John).
- ODR said 100 projects were previously awarded to local contractors and planned an additional solicitation for 55 homes by March 2025.
- The application period for Envision is closed; ODR provided a phone and email for inquiries (60310; envisioninfo@USVIPFA.com).

Main obstacles cited
- Applicant responsiveness: many applicants have not submitted required documents, which stalls progress.
- Permitting delays and environmental review timing slow the start of construction.
- Relocation difficulties: applicants who need temporary housing often struggle to find accommodations in a tight housing market.
- Rising construction costs and workforce shortages reduce contractor capacity and raise bid prices.
- Social services gap: ODR said some applicants require assistance beyond construction (transportation, household essentials, mediation for ownership disputes) and the Envision program does not fund those services.

Cash flow and bridge financing
ODR said it has used a $100 million line of credit to provide timely payments: testimony cited $93.1 million drawn and approximately $73.5 million repaid from federal reimbursements; ODR represented the remaining capacity of the line at about $80.5 million.

What senators asked and what comes next
Senators pressed ODR about contractor payments and manpower. ODR said contractors who submit invoices on time can be paid within an expected schedule and urged contractors to use the ODR support channels for isolated disputes. ODR also said it is pursuing training, workforce housing and outreach to attract contractors to the territory.","ODR reported progress and persistent delays in Envision Tomorrow, the CDBG-DR-funded program to rebuild storm-damaged homes. Officials said 43 homes are complete, 101 are under construction and another 55 solicitations were planned for March 2025, but permitting, applicant responsiveness, relocation and rising costs remain bottlenecks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6682930,"SuperPMO formed; contract awards for school and hospital preconstruction prompt questions about procurement and bidder interest",159,2363000,2522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2&start=2363&end=2522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364559-58d3f0fbdacfa41899a06c56b7c80af2/thumbnail_2363000.jpg","/articles/6682930/SuperPMO-formed-contract-awards-for-school-and-hospital-preconstruction-prompt-questions-about-procurement-and-bidder-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682930-59e54869c7b6f29ad214f15523c399e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692530&Signature=D4-d1C-KFj9~XCKvZtfuRbXaSYQIAEU40-XNDVxJ8G9rrqz7Pmbfk0Nw-REUFbaR6WBtnI1QwHHv0FkSp~7moAfYz0J1nqdRLLdXLC7GYBDTC-WzC3--OnvzQ44qpxyrbCu-p6dp42U~NA-nlqKSM6wz1wn1kHgg49HMEoSeC0Zk4cTBNTbu0~fm18DxAXjqigHAKHjO0q6whvWhOGEieUHg0LrYPKQf22JjeeFG7OKUftlcbDDmaKetUP7uSxaBp4NlYscOqEoAT6vmumOTZx4dSqwDZACLQ0PDipvxOKcwZttvtRH-5096ilxhY~7NxVM5aOkMKkXvewgDT2VpsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of Disaster Recovery said it has stood up a Super Project Management Office to speed large rebuilds and provide a single point of contact for contractors.

\"To execute rebuild USVI, the Office of Disaster Recovery has established and stood up the Super Project Management Office or SuperPMO with the support of CH2M Hill, Jacobs Solutions,\" Director Adrianne L. Williams Octalin told the Senate committee. The SuperPMO is intended to reduce bottlenecks and coordinate procurement for bundled projects.

ODR told senators the SuperPMO has executed a preconstruction services contract with the Suffolk CBNA joint venture for a St. Thomas education bundle; ODR said the initial preconstruction amount for that contract is $38.1 million. ODR also reported an award to Consigli-Benton (construction-manager-at-risk) for the Charles Harwood Medical Complex. ODR said the Wang F. Lewis Hospital solicitation received only one bid in one round and no bids in a later re-solicitation; ODR officials said they are revising the RFP and planned a re-release by March 2025.

Why it matters: Senators asked why large preconstruction fees were paid and whether existing contractors or firms previously on contract with the territory were being supplanted. Officials described different delivery approaches (progressive design-build vs. construction manager at risk) and said the scope and complexity of some projects makes attracting multiple, qualified bidders difficult. ODR said it is using market outreach and design revisions to attract more bidders.

Procurement details cited by officials
- Delivery models named: progressive design-build and construction manager at risk (CMAR).
- ODR said preconstruction / early engagement work will lead to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) when scope and designs are finalized.
- ODR said the SuperPMO has engaged CH2M Hill/Jacobs Solutions to provide program management support and a single contractor interface.

Officials' explanation of limited bids
- ODR and VIHFA staff told senators that large-scale projects are complex, may require construction in live facilities (for hospitals) and carry supply-chain and workforce constraints that reduce bidder interest.
- ODR said market research and changes to solicitation packages (including breaking bundles into smaller procurements) are part of the response.

What remains unresolved
- Senators requested detailed schedules for preconstruction deliverables and copies of the procurement documents referenced in testimony, and asked for clarity on the role and payment terms for outside consultants.","ODR has established a Super Project Management Office and awarded preconstruction contracts for major school bundles and a medical complex. Senators pressed officials about large preconstruction fees, failed solicitations for Wang F. Lewis Hospital and limited bidder interest.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ODR: $23.7 billion recovery portfolio, new SuperPMO and push to speed spending before 2035 deadline

Residents say LBJ Gardens demolition began without notice; HFA and ODR to hold March town hall

Envision Tomorrow: 43 homes complete, 101 under construction; ODR cites applicant, permitting and workforce delays

SuperPMO formed; contract awards for school and hospital preconstruction prompt questions about procurement and bidder interest