Gov. John deJongh Jr. spent part of Wednesday touring three areas slated for revitalization in the historic town and recreational areas on St. Thomas to promote the ongoing revitalization of the island, according to a statement from Government House.

DeJongh spent the morning walking along lower Main Street and Rothschild “Market” Square, and he visited the Winston Raymo Recreation Center in Hospital Ground and the Smith Bay basketball court on the island’s east end the afternoon.

“These projects represent important investments in our historic towns, well-travelled areas and local neighborhoods for the benefit of residents and visitors alike,” deJongh said in the statement.

According to the governor, the Market Square project is part of a long-term vision for revitalizing downtown Charlotte Amalie from Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral all the way to Fort Christian. The various beautification and utility improvement efforts are being coordinated between the V.I. Water and Power Authority, the Public Works Department and downtown merchants, according to Government House.

Government officials met earlier this week with business owners to explain why it was necessary not to further delay work along and around Main Street. While some of the construction crews may impact area merchants, deJongh said keeping with an established timetable was important to the project’s overall success.

The governor said that all major decisions would be discussed with shop owners and other area stakeholders, and their input would always be considered as the project moved forward.

“We need to start rebranding the towns of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted and Frederiksted. Beautification projects and quality-of-life improvements in these historic parts of the territory are important investments to make, even in these difficult economic times,” deJongh said, adding that the projects would meet standards set in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.