Dec 19, 2025 | Island News
We have been following this exciting major redevelopment effort on the eastern edge of downtown Christiansted along Hospital Street. WTJX’s latest article about the redevelopment project shares the project status an that plans include short- and long-term rental units, a fitness gym with a restaurant, a coffee shop, and possibly a boutique hotel. It continues to gain momentum as the developer and executive branch seek legislative approval to sell a government-owned residential property.
Developer Peter Zielke is in the process of purchasing an abandoned house on Hospital Street in Christiansted from the government, pending legislative approval, to expand housing in the area. It is another piece of the broader strategy to revive the historic district, expand housing, and strengthen St. Croix’s tourism. The contract to sell the Hospital Street property has been transmitted to the Legislature pending approval.
Peter Zielke, a retired technology entrepreneur who is now committed to developing real estate, has been revitalizing properties in downtown Christiansted for the past few years. Zielke’s first restoration project on Hospital Street in Christiansted resulted in four vacation rental units within this historic house, known as the “Mocko Jumbie House” for the life-size sculpture in the front yard.
To read the full article, click here.
Photo by Tom Eader of WTJX.
Dec 19, 2025 | Island News
We are excited that more modern, state-of-the-art health care resources will be available on St Croix in a new health center! Construction has officially begun on the Donna M. Christian Christensen Health Center, the first Rebuild USVI project to move into the construction phase. The VI Daily News reports that the new public health facility is being built at the former Charles Harwood Memorial Complex site in Estate Richmond. The five-level, 117,000-square-foot facility will house primary care, behavioral health services, laboratory services, emergency medical services, environmental health, WIC and administrative offices.
The health center is name after medical doctor Donna M. Christian Christensen. In the groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Christensen was honored as a physician, nationally recognized public health advocate and the first woman to serve as the territory’s delegate to Congress. Christensen’s work in health equity, minority health advocacy and federal policymaking, as well as her service to the Virgin Islands during the COVID-19 pandemic was also highlighted.
Read the full article here.
Photo credit Everett Ryan of VI Daily News
Dec 18, 2025 | Island News
This holiday season, my sister-in-law visited us here on St. Croix. Experiencing all the warmth and beauty the island has to offer in her week here, she was ready to bring home a piece of paradise with her to share with family and friends. I dropped her off downtown one day so that she could enjoy a day of local shopping. I love shopping in unique shops and friendly marketplaces for gifts and downtown Christiansted is a wonderful place for visitors and locals to do just that. From artisan jewelry shops to charming galleries and boutiques, I knew she would find treasures that reflect St. Croix’s beauty and culture. I was eagerly curious to hear the wonderful local stores she patronized and the souvenirs and gifts she had chosen. As I had expected, she had a lovely shopping experience and found gifts for loved ones that are as unique as St Croix itself and will remind her of the meaningful time on the island. Here were her top picks:
1. From the Gecko – the T-shirts with the map of St. Croix on them as gifts for all her grandchildren.
2. Mitchell Larson Studio – a beautiful handmade fused glass plate as a keepsake gift for family.
3. Riddims – music from Bill Bass and Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights which is a great way to add Crucian vibe to her holiday.
4. Cultured Naturals – wonderful body butter in different tropical scents as gifts for her friends and herself.
5. Many Hands – a mystery gift for us which we will open on Christmas. This time of year one must be nice, not naughty!
Holiday shopping is fun, especially when you buy from our wonderful shops or at holiday events! You are not only buying something very special, but supporting Crucians. Your purchase can make a difference to that shop owner or artist. Buy local! Season’s Greetings!
Nov 25, 2025 | Island News
According to Travel + Leisure, St. Croix, with it’s its convenient access from the United States mainland, pristine white-sand beaches to a buzz-worthy culinary scene, seems to fly under the radar. They created “tried-and-true” suggestions after speaking to locals and the St Croix Tourism board.
Key points as listed from the article:
Read the full article here.
Nov 25, 2025 | Island News
The are looking for the holiday season and pleased that the St. George Village Botanical Garden will have a special month long event running from Dec. 5 through Jan. 4. The “Garden of Lights” fundraising event will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to view gorgeous holiday lights throughout the grounds! As reported in the St Croix Source, colorful, twinkling lights will deck the garden along with artwork from local schools for the enjoyment of all ages as they stroll along the paths!
Opening night is Friday, Dec. 5, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Cocktail Walk will feature holiday cocktails, local cuisine, an auction, steel pan music, and the We Dey Yah Quadrille dancers. Children’s Night will be Friday, Dec. 12. Santa will be available for photos with children and families, and more. Read the article here for more information.
The botanical garden is a wonderful place to visit in the community year-round, so we are very excited to hear about the debut of their special Holiday of Lights event!
For tickets to the Garden of Lights Cocktail Walk at the St. George Village Botanical Garden, go to Eventbrite here.
Nov 25, 2025 | Island News
We are excited to see the VIPA Board has approved millions in airport upgrades and coastal protection work In St Croix Source’s recent article (read it here),
The article reports that on St. Croix, the VIPA board approved work for airfield maintenance, removing rubber buildup and refreshing runway markings at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, to ensure continued safe operations. For St. Thomas, the board authorized funding for the final design of a new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) station at Cyril E. King Airport. This approval allows the project to move forward to detailed design and engineering so construction can proceed. In addition, the board approved a contract for professional services to complete an environmental assessment and prepare a design-build package for shoreline stabilization at Cyril E. King Airport.
What caught our eye was the reporting from Preston Beyer, director of engineering, in regards to significant capital commitments for the region! St. Thomas–St. John District has obligated under active construction projects is $96,473,727.97 and the total cost the Engineering Department in the St. Croix District has obligated under active construction projects is $44,595,111.01.
VIPA also shared that tourism infrastructure remains a key focus and mentioned an introductory meeting with Seaborne Airlines as the “beginning of a collaborative relationship to support air service operations and strengthen connectivity for the Virgin Islands.” Seaborne Airlines was bought over this year and the new owners has been rebuilding its fleet and its reputation, starting with a new Twin Otter aircraft and plans to add more, what company President and CEO Darrell Richardson called “a resurrection” of the Virgin Islands’ only seaplane carrier. To read the article about Seabourne’s ‘resurrection’ under new owner and prioritizing expanded services, check out the US Daily News article here.
