Developer Peter Zielke is in the process of purchasing an abandoned house on Hospital Street in Christiansted from the government, pending legislative approval. The developer and executive branch seek legislative approval to sell a government-owned residential property. This will expand housing in the area. It is another piece of the broader strategy to revive the historic district and strengthen St. Croix’s tourism. The contract to sell the Hospital Street property has been transmitted to the Legislature.
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. Plans include short- and long-term rental units, a fitness gym with a restaurant, a coffee shop, and possibly a boutique hotel. The project continues to gain momentum.
A retired technology entrepreneur who is now a Developer, Peter Zielke 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 a historic house. This house is known locally as the “Mocko Jumbie House” for the life-size sculpture in the front yard. To read more about Mocko Jumbies click here.
This is amazing news! The Virgin Islands Architecture Center for Built Heritage and Crafts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community development organization and it is transforming the Old Barracks Property on Hospital Street in Christiansted, St. Croix, into a hub for education, preservation, and cultural pride.
According to St Croix Source, VIAC has developed five-year, 10-year, and 15-year plans, which will begin with trade schools once the buildings are restored. Project Manager Xavier Acevedo, who is overseeing the execution of the project, described the first phase as stabilizing the building shell through plastering, replastering, and installing a historically accurate rebuild of what was once the Christiansted High School.
Historical preservation is also a priority for this project. VIAC has already begun community programming with the help to federal and private funding. Some of the VIAC’s current projects include the rehabilitation of the Barracks building, college internships and summer programs, and storytelling and placekeeping at the old Barracks property.
A $1 million in grant funds from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program will help fund the redevelopment of Sunday Market Square as well as allow for sub-grants to be awarded to nonprofits engaged in keeping cultural traditions alive on St. Croix, according to a released statement from the St. Croix Foundation and reported by the VI Consortium in a recent article. Sunday Market Square holds deep cultural significance as one of the oldest, planned public squares under the U.S. flag. Located in downtown Christiansted, “it represents a unique history linked to Denmark’s colonization on the island of St. Croix from 1733 to 1917″ according to a statement by the foundation.
Read the full article on this and other projects that are part of this grant in this VI Consortium article.
Christie is an avid reader and we are so excited to see the Florence Williams Public Library, a historic institution in downtown Christiansted finally reopen on April 9, 2024 after being shuttered by the 2017 hurricanes. As reported by the VI Daily News (article available here), Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, Senate President Novelle Francis Jr., Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien, and Planning and Natural Resources Department Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
WTJX also reported that the new and improved four-story library features two levels of shelves lined with books, and an upgraded computer area with the latest software programs and access to digital audio books that are part of the integration of the Library for the Blind and Physically Challenged. The library features a multipurpose room to host community events that has video conferencing capabilities, and a children’s room with a Taino hut that provides a fun space for reading. WTJX also said the public can look forward to the brightly colored mural and paintings, archives and special collections, a photo duplication lab, and government documents available at the renovated library. The $702,775 recovery project, which included federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was completed by Heights Construction & Supply LLC. Read the full article here.
Jump Up Deli and Dem Tings is a classic deli and gift boutique with a Caribbean twist. Find classic deli sandwiches, traditional meats, cheeses, soups and salads at this unique bistro tucked away in the courtyard of Apothecary Hall on Company Street. Owners Ellen Ross and Todd Kirkpatrick both moved to St. Croix in 2017 before hurricanes Irma and Maria. Through a shared love of football and supporting one another during the catastrophic storms, they fell in love. The connection they witnessed and felt during the rebuilding of the island solidified their desire to become part of the downtown Christiansted community by providing a fun place for families and kids to eat, laugh, and shop.
Todd is an accomplished chef who dreamed of one day opening a New York style deli featuring sliced meats and cheeses, fresh salads, soups, and sides. Ellen brought her talent in sales and marketing that expanded during her time at Procter and Gamble offering all “Dem Tings” you didn’t know you needed. There is something for everyone at this unique St. Croix gift boutique, from tadpole tings for kids, mermaid tings for women, pirate tings for men, and furry friend tings for pets. “It’s a crazy little store, and we have fun with the selections we offer,” said Ellen. She boasted that they have the best selection of toys and treats for all kinds of pets, including dog and cat wines. “You can alter your attitude and your animal’s attitude at Dem Tings!”
Jump Up Deli and Dem Tings opened in December 2022, and they knew they found the perfect location in the former Café Christine location in Apothecary Hall. The deli menu items are named after notable island landmarks and locations, like the ever-popular hot sandwiches named The Christiansted and The Blue Mountain. They offer gluten-free and vegetarian options as well. This family friendly café makes waiting a pleasant pastime with fun games on the porch tables and a pirate chest with free toys for the kids. “We want to make sure kids can have fun along with the adults.” Customers visiting the deli also get to snap a picture of them jumping up in the space. The tradition started when a guest said their order made them jump up with joy; since then, every new customer gets their picture taken mid-jump when they jump for joy with their orders.
Each Art Thursday, they host “Arf Thursday” where St. Croix Animal Welfare Center sets up a petting area with their loveable pets to encourage adoption and donations to the organization. Beautiful artwork from their artists-in-residence, Pat Alfrey and Emelyn Morris-Sayre, are also on display for purchase and viewing during the event.
Jump Up Deli and Dem Tings is opened Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The store opens at 10am; the grill opens at 11am. You can find them in downtown Christiansted at 6 Company Street in the historic Apothecary Hall courtyard across from LEVELS VI. Check out their menu and see more of “dem tings” they offer by visiting their website at www.jumpupdeli.com. For takeout orders, call 340.712.0002.
