The St. Croix Coastal Zone Management Committee approved permits to demolish and rebuild Gov. Juan Luis Hospital, develop a dialysis center in La Grande Princesse, and construct a communications tower on the North Shore. The board also discussed a prospective underwater communications cable from Florida to St. Croix.
During the decision meeting for the hospital and dialysis center, Darryl Smalls, executive director of Facilities and Capital Development for the Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation, outlined plans to demolish and reconstruct Gov. Juan Luis Hospital on its current site. He also detailed the build out of a dialysis center at the former Nissan Automotive Center on North Shore Road.
Smalls addressed questions from CZM board members, explaining that the large amount of glass planned for the hospital’s construction exceeds Miami’s hurricane-resistant building codes. He added that providing patients with a view through windows is beneficial to their recovery. Regarding fire safety concerns, Smalls said modern, state-of-the-art firefighting methods would be implemented in designated areas.
In a separate hearing, several North Shore residents raised concerns about the approval process for a 100-foot mono-palm communications tower. The application, submitted by Infra Towers, LLC, proposes the tower be built on Plot 73, Estate Clairmont, enclosed within a fence and accompanied by a generator and other support equipment.
Some residents stated they had not seen the original public notices about the project. Staff acknowledged that some notices had been blown away and later replaced. They noted that only a few people attended the public hearing in July. Residents voiced concerns about noise, increased traffic, and potential health risks from radio waves. When asked if alternative sites were considered, officials confirmed they had been. Staff also explained that research shows the tower’s waves would not pose health risks or damage DNA.
Reading the staff findings, Gregory Richards, assistant CZM director, stated the tower would “not adversely affect the public’s health, safety and general welfare or cause adverse environmental effects.”
Following an executive session, the CZM board approved the permit. Board members also commented that improvements are needed in the public notification process for hearings.
Additionally, the board held a public hearing for Trans Americas Fiber US, LLC’s proposal to install a communications fiber cable from Vero Beach, Florida, to Butler Bay on St. Croix’s North Shore. The project, which will extend to St. Thomas and Tortola in 2026, is expected to eventually reach Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, according to Ben Keularts, an environmental engineer for Tysam Tech, LLC, who presented the application.
Richards noted that the application was initially submitted in February 2024, and permits for St. Thomas were approved last week. Keularts said the company has an operating agreement with AT&T and aims to improve network connectivity throughout the Caribbean and South America.
The cable will be routed to avoid coral reefs, and because existing manholes and conduits are available, no excavation or digging will be required, he said. The cable’s route will differ from that of Global Crossing.
“No public comments. Where are the public on such a massive project?” board member Kai Nielsen expressed. Richards agreed, adding, “Way more public interface on this matter” is needed.
Before adjourning, board members requested additional information about the project, including details on gross receipts, tax payments, and compensation for the use of the seabed. Nielsen advised the company to be prepared for further board inquiries regarding the financial and economic benefits to the territory but did not schedule another hearing.
