The Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee advanced two separate measures Tuesday: a proposed lease of government waterfront property in Red Hook to Lovango Resort and Beach Club, and $600,000 for rebuilding the Frederiksted Fish Market. Both next go to the Rules and Judiciary Committee.
The fish-market bill would add $600,000 from the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund to a planned $1.3 million federal award. DPNR described a roughly 900-to-1,000-square-foot main building, a mezzanine and fish-cleaning and weighing stations; federal funds, environmental review, a Coastal Zone Management permit and a fish-waste plan remain unresolved.
The Lovango measure covers about 12,600 square feet of government waterfront land in Estate Nazareth. The resort proposes about $3 million in privately financed improvements, including a rebuilt dock, while paying $2,000 a month during construction for up to five years before higher rent and later increases.
Lawmakers questioned the lease discount, employment compliance, permits and project costs. Committee approval does not authorize construction by itself, release the federal fish-market money or make either bill law.
The Legislature should publish the full lease, appraisal, rent schedule, compliance history and fish-market budget before final votes, while DPNR should resolve waste handling and permit requirements in public.
Source published October 20, 2026; publication time not displayed. Read the original reporting or release for the complete record.
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