MDG Completes First Phase of Virgin Islands Community Renovation

With the first phase complete, MDG has already started work on the remaining three phases. Image courtesy of MDG Design + Construction

MDG Design + Construction has completed the first phase of a four-stage renovation the Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion community in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. After starting the process in June 2022, the firm has finished work on the first phase, which totals 82 units across seven buildings.

While the Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion was built in 1971, the community was hit severely by both Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and required necessary repairs. MDG worked with the Virgin Islands Housing Authority on the renovations, while also tapping J. Benton Construction as the general contractor and Cost Control as the property manager.

A rendering of the completed property. Image courtesy of MDG Design + Construction

The community’s renovated units now have new windows, doors, fixtures, flooring, cabinets, ceiling fans, LED lighting and paint, while also using new low-water usage kitchen and bathroom fixtures, efficient water heaters and Energy Star appliances. Beyond the units, MDG also renovated the seven buildings with new plumbing and electrical systems, hurricane-resistant systems and site beautification measures and resilience measures to prepare against future hurricanes.

With the first phase completed, MDG is already working on the three other phases to fully renovate Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion. The second and third phases will see 70 additional units renovated and will also include a new senior center and improvements to the community center and management office. The final phase will account for the remaining 96 units, with MDG expecting to complete the renovations of the entire Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion by September 2024.

Rehabilitating properties beyond NYC

As a firm, MDG specializes in rehabilitating or developing affordable housing projects throughout the New York City metro. Overall, the firm has created or preserved more than 900 affordable housing buildings, totaling approximately 23,300 units.

MDG frequently collaborates with private companies and public partners for its affordable housing projects. The firm recently topped out on the 104-count Hanson Place Community Plaza in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood after breaking ground on the project in April 2022. Even though a majority of MDG’s projects are located around New York City, the firm has experience with rehabilitating storm-damaged communities. In June 2019, MDG completed the $560 million redevelopment of Ocean Bay Apartments in Queens after it was hit by Hurricane Sandy.