Dowe’s Airport Modernization Project Set to Begin This Year as Lawmakers Seek Clarity on VIPA Employees’ Future
“No matter what happens with this P3 relationship, please take care of our people,” said Senator Hubert Frederick, chair of the 36th Legislature's Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture. His impassioned appeal was directed towards V.I. Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe, who testified before the committee on Monday.
2025-03-11 13:42:11 - VI News Staff
VIPA testimony focused on air and sea port developments, including the new public-private-partnership (P3) project to modernize the Cyril E. King and Henry E. Rohlsen airports. A group of partners operating under the name Sky City is now tasked with the design, financing and construction of the airport, and will run day-to-day operations thereafter.
“I want to take this opportunity to restate that the territory’s airports are not being privatized,” stated Mr. Dowe in his testimony. “VIPA will remain the owner of both airports and will continue to receive all federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.” What will not remain an asset of VIPA, however, will be at least a portion of the aviation staff.
In October 2024, Mr. Dowe informed members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance that Sky City intended to make employment offers to all 78 aviation employees. The offer, though extended to all, is not a requirement, and employees would be free to decide whether they wanted to be absorbed by VIPA and retain their benefits under the Government Employees Retirement System (GERS). Conversely, those who accept the Sky City offer would receive refunds of their contributions made to GERS and move forward with a 401K package from their private-sector employer.