Feb. 18, 2002 – "Pardon our dust" could be the watchword at the Charles Harwood Complex for the next few months.
The Health Department recently began Phase 1 of a three-phase renovation of the Christiansted complex. "It's been in need of repair for a very long time," Health Department spokesman Lee Vanterpool said Tuesday.
Parking for staff and clients will be affected. While construction is under way, vehicles must be parked in front of the complex, in the area around the maintenance building and at the clubhouse. The area next to the motor pool is reserved for the contractor, for the Property and Procurement Department, and for ambulance access to the Charles Harwood Complex.
Vanterpool said that Roy Construction Co. of St. Thomas began demolition of two vacant wings on the main building on Feb. 13. Once that work wraps up, the second floor of the main building will be renovated. Work includes a new roof and fascia, gutters and downspouts. Vanterpool said part of the project is still out to bid. The entire Phase 1 should be finished in June.
Phase 2 will consist of renovation of the first and third floors and the first floor of the annex. Phase 3 will include building exterior work, sidewalks, paving, parking, lighting and security fencing. Vanterpool said the U.S. Department of the Interior is funding the project, but he did not know the cost. He said it is one of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's fast track capital improvement projects.