Private Partnership Repairs Road Town Bannister
A damaged roadside banister near the Banco Popular branch in Road Town is being repaired under the Road Town Partnership Programme after remaining unrepaired since the 2017 hurricane season. The project, led by Nona Vanterpool of Vanterpool Enterprises, is being highlighted by the Government as another positive outcome of its public‑private partnership efforts and has drawn praise from the Premier and local ministers. BVI News has published images of the work in progress, and officials say a joint government‑private sector committee is developing a broader master plan for additional Road Town improvements.
A damaged roadside banister along the roadway near the Banco Popular branch in Road Town is now being repaired through the Road Town Partnership Programme, a public‑private initiative set up to improve the appearance, safety and functionality of the capital, the Government said in a recent release.
The banister was originally damaged during the 2017 hurricane season and had remained in need of attention until Vanterpool Enterprises stepped forward to take on the restoration. The work aims to restore the safety barrier and enhance the visual amenity along this busy stretch of Road Town, helping pedestrians and motorists alike navigate the area more safely.
The project is being undertaken by Nona Vanterpool, owner and managing partner of Vanterpool Enterprises. Vanterpool told the media the repairs are particularly meaningful this year as her family business celebrates 55 years in the Road Town community. “Our family has been a part of the Road Town business community for over five decades.
In fact, this year marks our 55th anniversary. As a business operator in the capital, I believe it is important to take personal responsibility for the external appearance of my building and to contribute to making Road Town a place we can all be proud of,” she said, according to the Government of the Virgin Islands release.
Vanterpool for her proactive leadership and commitment to the Road Town Partnership Programme. “This project exemplifies the spirit of partnership we envisioned for Road Town. Her actions reflect pride not only in her business but in our capital as a whole,” the Premier said, while also advising motorists and pedestrians to exercise care while the work continues, per the government statement.
The Road Town Partnership Committee, chaired by Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce Hodge‑Smith, welcomed the repair as an example of corporate social responsibility. “Government cannot do everything, and partnerships like these are essential as we continue to implement meaningful improvements across Road Town,” Jr.
Minister Hodge‑Smith said, the release added. BVI News also covered the repair and published images of the work in progress, reiterating details about the storm damage and Vanterpool Enterprises’ role in the restoration. The media coverage highlighted the repair as another visible outcome of the Road Town Partnership Programme and showcased the joint effort between government and private sector stakeholders.
Officials say a committee made up of government and private sector members continues to meet to develop a broader master plan for Road Town, and that additional projects under the programme will be announced shortly. Local leaders hope the visible repair will encourage other property owners and businesses to invest in the upkeep of their buildings and surroundings, reinforcing pride in the capital and improving the experience for residents and visitors alike.
Primary source: BVI Government