Former chief minister’s home coming down

The McNamara home that previously served as the chief minister’s official residence will soon be torn down, according to the Recovery and Development Agency.

Under a $47,850 contract the RDA recently awarded to No Limit Construction, demolition works are scheduled to begin Feb. 23, the agency announced Monday in a press release.

The RDA said it executed the contract in support of the Deputy Governor’s Office, calling the move a “key milestone” in efforts to revitalise the government’s public estate.

The single-storey reinforced concrete structure will be fully demolished, including its foundation, with all building components removed and disposed of safely, according to the release.

The agency said the works will leave the site “safe, stable, construction-ready and environmentally responsible” in preparation for future development.

The next phase is expected to involve construction of a new, modern facility designed to meet current building standards and the evolving needs of the government’s public estate, according to the RDA.

No Limit Construction owner Rajah Smith said his company is well prepared to carry out the works.

“This is something we can do in a heartbeat,” he said. “I’ve worked with the Office of the Deputy Governor before, including on demolition works at the former post office and the installation of weather stations across almost every island in the Virgin Islands.”

No Limit submitted the lowest of nine offers in a limited competitive domestic bidding process, according to the RDA. The other bids ranged from Complete’s bid of $49,778.74 to TSR Construction Ltd.’s bid of $76,958.20.

Wider vision

Deputy Governor David Archer Jr. described the project as symbolic and forward-looking.

“This demolition represents hope and aspiration for the future of the government’s public estate,” Mr. Archer said. “While we recognise the historical significance of the former chief minister’s residence, we also recognise the need to grow as an estate. In doing so, the demolition is the start of what a future home would look like in that area.”

He added that the works form part of a wider vision to enhance residential infrastructure for senior public officials while supporting long-term planning for the territory’s governance needs.

RDA CEO Anthony McMaster said the project reflects close cooperation between the agency and central government.

“This project reflects a collaborative effort to responsibly manage and revitalise the public estate, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of the territory,” Mr. McMaster said.

He added that the demolition is part of a broader programme of works being advanced with the DGO and the Ministry of Finance to rebuild and modernise government assets.

DGO Deputy Secretary Aisha Hill-Massicote, speaking on behalf of Permanent Secretary Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, described the signing as part of the careful evolution of the public estate.

“Today, we take another step forward toward responsible stewardship of our public assets,” she said, adding that the project signals government’s aim to modernise in a “thoughtful, transparent” way.

The RDA was established in 2018 to implement priority recovery and development projects and said it is transitioning toward an expanded mandate focused on development.