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Lieutenant Governor’s office says purchase of Christiansted building underway; mold, repairs and leases remain pressing issues
Summary
LGO officials reported purchase of a former bank building in Christiansted, delayed fit‑out due to required HVAC and remediation work, and continued rental expenses at multiple leased locations.
Acting Chief of Staff Nadia D. Harrigan and Director Claudette Farrington told the committee that LGO purchased a former bank building in Christiansted (the “First Bank” building) with a legislative appropriation and is working to bring the structure into use for territorial operations.
Staff said they discovered replacement needs for two air‑conditioning units and a condenser and that remediation and build‑out specifications are under procurement. Staff reported the recorder of deeds and several other divisions have already relocated to a new Caribe location; other divisions remain in leased space, including partial occupancy at 1 King Cross Street. Farrington said rental and lease payments in the post‑audit total about $1,400,000 across eight leased locations; senators asked about reductions now that the office no longer uses a full set of floors at the King Cross Street location.
Senators pressed why the Christiansted building purchase closed months earlier but repairs and AC replacement had not been completed. Harrigan said remediation and urgent mold abatements in other offices were prioritized for workplace health and safety; she said LGO has met with an architect and begun procurement for the work and expects assessment and remediation to move forward in weeks.
Senators urged the office to accelerate the move to reduce recurring rental costs and requested a timeline and cost estimate for the Christiansted build‑out and HVAC replacements.
