Stakeholders involved in the establishment of the Halls of Justice met on July 9 to discuss the design elements and layout of the Magistrate’s Court phase of the project.

The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer, Jr. and sought to discuss the layout of courtrooms and offices, building occupancy, external and internal security, information technology requirements, traffic and parking requirements, and the provisions for judges’ quarters.  

 “It remains important for the building to be designed and constructed in a way that stands the test of time, as opposed to focusing on something that is modern and trendy,” Deputy Governor Mr. Archer, Jr. said, adding, “We have the perfect opportunity to construct something that is iconic to the Territory, but it must also serve the needs of all involved.”

The Recovery and Development Agency will be responsible for the establishment of the user requirements document based on needs expressed by the stakeholders and will guide the project’s direction, while coordinating the work of the design firm and subsequently the contractor. Engaging the Deputy Governor’s Office and the users at this stage will ensure that the project is developed in a way that meets the standards of the Courts.  

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the RDA, Mr. Anthony McMaster said, “The architectural firm, Trojan Design and Development, Ltd. is responsible for the creation of the full set of designs including the engineering elements using the information gathered from the stakeholder consultation, which is essential to the effective layout and flow.”

Mr. McMaster added that once the preliminary designs are completed, the RDA will re-engage the users to ensure that the design satisfies their requirements before completing the further outputs.

The design phase of the Magistrate’s Court is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2021, with the construction of the building being completed in 2022. The project is being funded by the Government of the Virgin Islands with input from the CDB Loan as well as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.