ST. THOMAS – An eviction dispute between the Virgin Islands government and Island Laundries Ltd., a case that WTJX reported has exposed decades of lease violations, uncollected fees, and faulty government oversight through the Department of Property and Procurement, has expanded, continuing to complicate redevelopment plans in the Subbase area on St. Thomas.
READ MORE: Island Laundries puts wrinkle in VIPA expansion plans, eviction case reveals faulty gov’t oversight
The lawsuit centers on government-owned parcels needed for Virgin Islands Port Authority redevelopment plans for an additional cruise ship berth and a tourist-oriented resort and commercial center in the Subbase area. Legislation passed last of these government-owned properties to VIPA for the project, including Parcel No. 164 Submarine Base, one of the parcels caught up in the government’s eviction dispute with Island Laundries.The other parcel caught up in the dispute, Parcel No. 116 Submarine Base, was not transferred.
The redevelopment is the result of an agreement between VIPA and private developers Royal Caribbean Group and Cruise Terminals International. The parties signed this agreement during a public ceremony at the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay on December 17, 2025, the day after the government filed a motion to amend its complaint against Island Laundries.
The government’s motion follows Magistrate Judge Paula Norkaitis’ November 2025 ruling, where she transferred the case to...
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