USVI to evict badgering barkers

The tourists have a big say. If they don't like it, they won't come back. Worse, they will tell their friends not to go.
I read a article, can't remember where, that said that the tourists were rating STT low on their destination list because "it felt like one big cheap jewelery store". I felt the same way, BUT I never went into any of the other areas, so I sure that was unfair to STT. It was the barkers that turned me off!(td)

They're going to enforce the signage violations that merchants downtown have been ignoring for quite a while & if they'd just block off Main St. to traffic on ship days it sure would improve the atmosphere.

I don't imagine that it could happen due to regulations in the historic district but it would be nice if Ft. Christian parking lot could have another level built on & let the government vehicles park on the top while the paying customers park on the lower/ground level.

They're going to enforce the signage violations that merchants downtown have been ignoring for quite a while & if they'd just block off Main St. to traffic on ship days it sure would improve the atmosphere.

That's what I thought. Until I heard a lot of the merchants on Main Street actually like the fact that the taxis are there, because they claim it pushes people inside their stores. 😮

I'm sure you're correct, Remco but a more pleasant shopping experience would be better for business rather than the larger numbers of people currently not even going down there so those merchants might be short-sighted. I haven't been downtown in years. I don't want the hassle. I know lots of other residents who avoid it all cost also.

There are plans afoot to regulate the traffic as well as parking in town, coming soon....

Wouldn't The Badgering Barkers be a good name for a rock band? 😉

Ronnie: I am glad to see the Historic District getting a once over. Who is responsible for the policing of signs on the rest of the island? Every time I drive I see new ones- BIG ones. And what is the deal with the two vendors up by Cost-U-Less, the ones who used to be at Mandela Circle? Do those guys have business licenses? And what about the people selling water all over at the side of the road? Just a few questions for today! 😉

The commission I serve on (Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission)is only for the downtown historic district, as well as the Governor's Task Force for the Revitalization of Charlotte Amalie I sat on. Those curbside vendors fall under the Department of Public Works. They had recently just removed the fruit vendor from that area on Weymouth Rhymer that the two vendors from the Pueblo area moved into. The Administrator has that under her purview. It's not an easy task trying to make things right around here.

There are plans afoot to regulate the traffic as well as parking in town, coming soon....

Well, hallelujah & well done if that's accomplished.

We worked over nine months hashing out the needs and changes necessary. This time I hope they stick, or all will be lost.

PS The taxi folks were involved in the meetings and changes as well.

Good for you. It will make things so much more pleasant down there. Those old buildings are beautiful & with more room to walk, people might be able to see them better instead of being jostled & yelled at to go back to the ship.