Fred Hotel Expansion Gains Lawmakers’ Backing Amid Local Concerns About Overcrowding and Property Values

With senators' support for plans to add 34 additional rooms, neighbors worry about increased traffic and changes to the character of the area, while developers emphasize job creation and revitalization

Some residents in the vicinity of the Fred Hotel in Frederiksted, St. Croix are nervous about plans to expand its footprint, which would add another thirty-four guest rooms to the beachfront property.‌ On Monday, representatives for USVI LLC and Next to the Fred LLC appeared before the Committee of the Whole to request the rezoning of their existing Strand Street property to accommodate the expansion. Bill No. 35-0322 seeks to rezone Plots 36, 37, 38, and 42 Strand Street from W-1 (Waterfront-Pleasure) to B-1 (Business-Central Business District).‌

Currently, there are twenty guest rooms available at the adults-only hotel. Leia LaPlace Matthew, territorial planner in the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, told lawmakers that the developer’s plans include maintaining the existing buildings on plots 36 to 38 and constructing two new buildings that would increase the room stock by twenty-four. On the remaining parcel - plot 42 - a new building with 10 guest rooms will be built. Developers will also create new parking spaces at a lot some 200 feet away from the current parking lot.