Government sues VIGL for failure to develop Randall “Doc” James Racetrack, seeks transfer of permits

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands government filed a civil complaint today in Superior Court seeking damages and expedited declaratory relief against VIGL Operations LLC for failure to develop the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack in accordance with a 2016 franchise agreement that was amended in 2021 and 2022.

The government is asking the court to revoke and terminate the franchise agreement and the sublease agreement it has with VIGL Operations, claiming VIGL has failed to meet numerous material obligations to include 40% completion by July 6, 2023.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said during his State of the Territory Address tonight that it should be evident to all that VIGL does not have the wherewithal, nor the resources to rebuild the racetrack before indicating the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the company for breach of contract. Bryan, who noted that $12 million is available, said the government can rebuild the racetrack and restore horse racing on St. Croix.

Government House also issued a statement tonight announcing that the governor authorized legal action against VIGL for failure to rebuild the racetrack and resume horse racing, noting no meaningful progress despite repeated extensions and concessions and a claim by VIGL that the company has spent $11 million on the project, with $2 million going toward architecture and engineering in the past two years. The governor said it is “unacceptable” that the people of St. Croix have nothing to show after eight years of delays and missed commitments.