VITEMA says Herman Hill retrofit on track for design approval but key costs remain unfunded

The Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning heard a progress update June 30 on the Herman Hill Wind Retrofit and Safe Room project from Daryl D. Josh, director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA). Josh said the project is in Phase 1 (engineering and design) with roughly $22.51 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding approved by FEMA and that amendments have refined budgets and scope as federal reviews progressed.

The project has completed a rezoning (Z/SCZ‑7) and a federal consistency determination; VITEMA and its architect Springline Architects LLC reported a 60% design package and independent peer review with Phase 1 deliverables expected to be complete by October 2026. “The project is currently in phase one, engineering and design,” Josh told senators, describing a three‑story/ four‑story retrofit that must stay within the existing two‑dimensional footprint while permitting additional elevation.

Why it matters: the Herman Hill facility is being designed to host VITEMA’s territorial emergency operations while providing surge capacity during disasters, including an 8‑station 24‑hour 911 operations center, emergency operations center space for federal and territorial partners, and continuity‑of‑government functions. Josh said the safe‑room is intended primarily for responders and surge staff — “this is not a community safe room” — and that the territory is building separate public shelters at schools and other sites.

Costs and funding gaps: Josh said FEMA’s $22.5 million plus a $3.37 million site‑stabilization project are federally committed for demolition, construction and stabilization. However, VITEMA has identified additional costs categorized as furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) in testimony; the figure reported in the record was transcribed as “7,28,035.” VITEMA staff described these FFE items as office furniture, phone and video systems, backup power supplies and physical security, and estimated annual operations and maintenance at about $280,000 once the facility opens. Josh told the committee federal funding covers the construction and site stabilization but does not yet cover the FF&E or some other operating needs.

Timeline and federal review: Josh said FEMA approved amendment #4 on July 1, 2025, and that the territory has iterated design options with FEMA for several years, including analysis of whether the project could reuse the existing structure. After a year‑and‑a‑half of study, FEMA required a different approach, which led to demolition and rebuilding within the permitted footprint. VITEMA expects completion of the 100% design package in October 2026, after which FEMA must review Phase 1 deliverables before Phase 2 (procurement, demolition and construction) can begin.

Community concerns and mitigation: Senators and testifiers pressed VITEMA about impacts on the residential neighborhood surrounding Herman Hill, stormwater and slope stabilization work funded separately (~$3.37M), dust control during construction, and the appointment of an owner’s representative to manage community outreach and compliance with the 15 special conditions that accompanied the territory’s federal consistency determination. Josh said VITEMA plans to hire an owner’s representative (federally funded) who will be present on site during demolition and construction to coordinate with neighbors and enforce conditions.

Financial and procurement risks: Several senators said the project has been discussed for years and asked whether design ‘scope creep’ or long procurement lead times have inflated costs; Josh replied that the federal construction and stabilization funding are fixed today but that the territory will need to identify non‑federal sources (e.g., Office of Insular Affairs, grants, earmarks) to cover FF&E and other unfunded needs. He said the territory has used a mix of reallocated contingency funds and design funding to move the project forward and that construction cost increases are a continuing risk.

What’s next: VITEMA will complete the 100% design package, submit the Phase 1 deliverables to FEMA for approval (expected October 2026), and — subject to federal approvals and identified funding for unresolved items — move to demolition and construction. Senators requested follow‑up reports on procurement, the owner’s representative hire, a precise FF&E cost breakdown, and confirmation of funding sources for non‑federal items.

The committee recorded questions about how the facility will be used during an emergency, access and flood concerns for the Herman Hill neighborhood, and the territory’s plan for public sheltering separate from the responder‑focused safe room. Director Josh emphasized the building’s role as an emergency operations and surge response site rather than a congregate public shelter; Department of Human Services and other agencies told the committee they are identifying and preparing separate public shelters for residents.

Ending: Senators asked VITEMA to return with clarifying documents on the remaining unfunded items and a clear procurement/delivery schedule so the committee can assess the likelihood of meeting an October 2026 design approval and a realistic start date for Phase 2.