A land swap between the V.I. National Park and St. Thomas’ Paiewosnky family could open the way for construction of a new public school, replacing Sprauve School in downtown Cruz Bay. Island administrator Julien Harley reported plans are in the works to trade Park-owned land at Catherineberg, in the middle of the island, for Paiewonsky-owned land on Hassel Island. While there have been discussions in the past, Harley told the Coral Bay Community Council it appears they will result in a deal this time.
Harley also said that a woman identified as Elizabeth McCormick is putting together a philanthropic package of $8 million, according the a report of his comments by the St. John Source. It is conditioned on the local government raising the same amount. "We’ll match it," he said.