Coastal Zone Management OKs permit for restoration of Hibiscus hotel

ST. CROIX — Developers planning to restore and expand the Hibiscus Beach Hotel on St. Croix cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday night after the island’s Coastal Zone Management Commission approved their major coastal zone management permit.

The hotel, situated in LaGrande Princesse, was wrecked by Hurricane Maria in 2017. In October 2022, representatives of the new owners — the Hamed family — went before the V.I. Economic Development Authority to apply for tax benefits to rebuild the hotel.

The St. Croix Coastal Zone Management Commission held a public hearing on plans to revitalize the property in March. During that hearing, neighboring property owners expressed concerns that the development could cause even more flooding issues to an already flood-prone area.