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Chantelle Greene Quiñones Historic Preservation Commission Nomination Hearing Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025 Good day to you, Madam Chair Joseph, honorable members of the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, other members of the 36th legislature and members of the viewing public. Thank you for the opportunity to provide details about who I am as a nominee to become a member of the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission and serve on the Historic Preservation Committee in the St. Croix District. My name is Chantelle Greene Quiñones, and I am honored to have been selected to appear before you today. As a child growing up in Estate Whim, Frederiksted, I had no idea that my deep connection to the west side, especially to the historic town of Frederiksted, would shape the path I walk today. My mother worked in Frederiksted throughout most of my childhood and later owned her own salon on King Street for over 20 years. I spent much of my time in and around town, meandering to and from her salon, exercising with her along the waterfront, taking long walks to visit the library, and exploring the many local businesses. These early experiences helped me appreciate the important social, residential, and economic benefits of living and working in town surrounded by historical spaces. After graduating from the St. Croix Central High School, I attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Virginia, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a minor in Political Science. Shortly afterward, I returned to St. Croix and completed a master’s degree in education at the University of the Virgin Islands. I spent 17 years in education as an English teacher, department chair, and team leader, five in the private sector and 12 with the Virgin Islands Department of Education. During that time, I explored historical buildings and structures in the town of Christiansted with students, strolled along the streets with my family, and fell in love with the hustle and bustle of the district. I now serve as a Special Projects Coordinator and Communications Specialist with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas. My work with TPPA, focusing on the identification and conservation of protected areas for the people of the Virgin Islands and sharing that information with the wider community, deepened my interest in historical and cultural preservation across the territory and inspired me to become more actively involved in community engagement through the Historic Preservation Committee. When considering my nomination, I ask you to note that although I may not be an architect or an academic historian, I bring strong qualities to the committee. I am detail- oriented, organized, passionate, and dedicated to any task assigned to me, both personally and professionally, whether as the leader of a project or collaborating as a team. Experiential learning was a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy, and I continue to apply it in professional practice. I believe that by actively engaging in and reflecting on the work of the HPC, I can both contribute meaningfully and grow in my understanding of historic preservation. My goal is to support progressive changes in our historic districts while safeguarding the cultural and architectural elements that make our towns special. If confirmed, I plan to build familiarity with the committee’s procedures and use that knowledge to engage with community members, business owners, and residents, answering questions and addressing concerns through various channels. I would love to help develop awareness campaigns that encourage residents to value and protect the rich cultural heritage embedded in our towns. In the long term, I hope to support efforts to research and establish funding for restoration projects and assist property owners with maintenance. Owning a home or business in one of our towns which date back to the 18th century, carries the responsibility of understanding the value of preservation, even if that building or structure is not yet 50 years or older. Since moving into an apartment on Hospital Street in 2008, and later becoming a homeowner in 2009, I have held onto the hope of walking through serene, clean, well-maintained streets lined with carefully preserved historic buildings and homes. While not everyone agrees with regulations such as choosing paint colors or fence materials, I believe most can appreciate that offering guidance and support to property owners benefits the community. As a member of the Historic Preservation Committee, I intend to listen thoughtfully to all perspectives, apply the established guidelines, and work alongside experienced committee members to make informed decisions. I had the opportunity to attend the Commission’s annual meeting on St. Croix in 2024, as well as several of the monthly meetings since. Through these experiences, I’ve gained insight into how well-managed the Historic Preservation Committee is and how knowledgeable its members are, in addition to gaining some understanding of property owners’ concerns, their requests, and their willingness to follow the guidelines when they are clearly communicated. I am fully committed to contributing positively to these discussions and helping achieve thoughtful, community-centered outcomes. Madam Chair and honorable committee members, thank you for considering my nomination. I look forward to answering any questions you may have at this time.