Arthur A. Richards School Costs Surge from $159 Million to $264 Million as Officials Defend Spending and Project Changes

The sharp rise in project costs has prompted ODR and VIDE to introduce revised contract terms, launch a Super PMO, and bundle school projects to improve oversight and reduce costs in upcoming construction efforts.

The cost of constructing the new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School at the former Evelyn M. Williams Elementary School site has surged from $159 million to $264 million, according to officials from the V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery and the V.I. Department of Education. The increase, driven by change orders, inflation-related adjustments, and additional design features, has raised concerns about contract management and funding impact on other school rebuilds across the territory.

A significant portion of the cost increase—estimated at $30 million—stems from additions requested by the Department of Education, including a swimming pool, stormwater drainage enhancements, and covered walkways. Officials have attributed the escalation to the design-build contract structure, where costs are not fixed at the outset but evolve as project designs are finalized.