An Online Blog About the Daily Happenings of St. John, USVI
Several island construction projects have been stymied on St. John because the builder can’t find sand.
Yes, sand. But not the beach kind. The kind of sand that is used to make concrete.
Dave Carlson told the St. John Source he has five Carlson Construction projects on hold because there is no sand. "It’s never been this bad," he said.
Carlson is a member of the Island Green Building Association and has been active with the group in trying to blunt massive development projects on St. John.
* Houses: 104 (up from 101 on 4/17)
* Commercial: 26 (down from 27 on 4/17)
* Condos: 52 (up from 50 on 4/17)
* Land lots: 249 (unchanged from 4/17)
Source: Multiple Listing Service
Gym in Paradise
has been repriced down to $140,000. A listing here about 18 months ago
had the Marketplace-location listed at more than $300,000.
"A THANK YOU Letter to Commissioner Plaskett,
"Thank you very much for listening to St. John’s concerns about the
proposed 9-Story building in Pastory and the violations incurred by the
Sirenusa project. We support and encourage DPNR enforcement of our
laws and regulations.
"Sincerely,
"Doug White, Island Green Builders Association (IGBA); Lorelei
Monsanto, Unity Group; Sharon Coldren, Coral Bay Community Council,
Inc.; Kristen E. Cox, Guy Benjamin Elementary School; Rob Crane, St.
John Community Foundation; Gregory Edwards, concerned Pastory resident;
Alan Smith, and Catherine Stephen, concerned Pastory resident.
"For additional information contact Sharon Coldren at 693-5590 or
513-4298 or Doug White at 690-0217, or any of the above people.
St. John Source reported … "After a furor began growing over plans
to construct a 63-unit condominium project at Pastory on St. John,
Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dean C. Plaskett said
Wednesday that his department will deny Reef Management Co. a building
permit." Full story
Here’s the report from the Virgin islands Daily News.
"Permits Denied" — That’s the word from the Inquiring Iguana … whose sources often are good.
Honestly, though, we’ll have to wait for some official confirmation. But … word is that both Sirenusa’s extra stories and buildings, and the 9-story Pastory condo, have been vetoed by the DPNR/CZM/whatever powers that be.
The Iguana hears this from a source in Coral Bay … which is dealing with its own development hassles.
The Iguana was also told that there was a meeting of the Island Green Builder’s Association Tuesday night – at which some visitors from St. Thomas were going to be advised some folks on St. J. have had enough "progress" of the monster-construction kind.
"Now, the Green Builders Assoc. is going to go after Grande Bay," Iguana is told. "They are thinking of a lawsuit."
Source: Multiple Listing Service
All categories showed an inventory decrease in the past week. That
hasn’t happened in a long time.
But the "good news" may be misleading. It appears more high-priced properties are coming on
the market and asking prices are decreasing. A month ago,
the median residential property’s listing was $1.9 million. Today,
it’s lower, at $1.7 million. And the average house price has risen,
from $2.17 million to $2.35 million.
New on the market: Love City Surf Shack at Raintree Maill. Asking $170,000. "Fine beachwear and
supplies. The only surf store on the island," according to the listing.
Source: Multiple Listing Service
Agents of the V.I. Tax Assessor’s Office are on island, making visits to residential properties to measure their size, assess their views, and calculate their value in preparation of the next round of property taxes. It’s part of a territory-wide reconfiguration of the tax rolls.
It is possible home owners could see tax bills double, triple, or worse, when the new valuations are issued. That’s because a 1936 federal law requires the VI’s to adhere to this formula: 1.25% of 60% of the value of a property.
For instance, a house with a market value of $1.2 million, under this formula, could have its property tax rise from $1,800 to $9,000.
The VI government and Del. Donna Christensen are now urging Congress to repeal the law and allow the VI government to create its own system for calculating taxes. A committee of the U.S. Senate has voted to approve repeal of the federal tax law.
"The law has become a burden on our people, especially property owners on St. John, where property taxes have been skyrocketing," said At Large Sen. Craig Barshinger. He said the territory should be allowed to develop its own tax code.
Source: Multiple Listing Service
Higher-priced residences are responsible for a rising inventory of homes for sale on island. With 98 residential properties now on the Multiple Listing Service, the median price of a home has moved up $200,000 to $1.9 million. The average price continues at about $2.17 million.
In previous seasons, real estate sales people lamented a lack of selection when inventory totaled less than 45 houses. Now, with nearly 100 properties, one sales person said buyers have more from which to choose and that is leading to lots of viewings and some contracts.
In commercial real estate, another popular Cruz Bay restaurant has been listed. Morgan’s Mango is being offered for $960,000. This is not the first time Morgan’s has been for sale; previously the asking price – last season, and I believe the season before, – was $1.2 million.
