VIPA board puts St. Thomas hotel project back out to bid

ST. THOMAS —The V.I. Port Authority’s Board of Governors voted Wednesday to reject a staff recommendation that they begin negotiations with a potential hotel operator, who submitted a proposal to demolish and reconstruct at the former Island Beachcomber property in Lindbergh Bay.

The company, PCL Management LLC, responded to the Authority’s Sept. 13 request for qualifications and proposals, which provided a 45-day period for responses from qualified development firms, “for the purpose of entering into a multi-year contract for the leasing, demolition, design and construction of a 3-star hotel or better or a water related recreational facility on approximately 1.9163 acres of land,” in Estate Lindbergh Bay.

Proposals were due on Nov. 15, and two companies submitted responses, PCL and Dhruv Development LLC.

Procurement and Contract Manager Kate Davis explained that “both Respondents met the minimum requirements,” and the Authority heard oral presentations from the respondents on Jan. 10.

“The Respondents were given an opportunity to present their proposals and answer questions posed by the evaluation committee, the Governing Board and the Authority’s Financial Advisor, FRASCA,” Davis said.

“Based on the presentations and proposals received, the evaluation committee decided that the presentation by PCL Management, LLC will provide the best value to the Authority,” Davis said.

She detailed the company’s plan, and said that, “PCL Management proposes a 3-star eco-friendly resort with 60 suites. The development will feature a restaurant with a capacity for 100 people, a bar with a capacity for 30 people, pool, spa, retail space and access to a beach-front water recreational development.”