Lindqvist Beach owners let key deadline expire

ST. THOMAS - The Lindqvist Beach property owners let a deadline pass Friday without filing a motion in District Court to block the government from using money from a settlement trust fund to take the property by eminent domain.

The owners, Edwin Padgett and Donald Rifenberg of V.I. Investments, had until the close of business Friday to file the motion. Pending District Court approval, the government plans to use $1.7 million from the Tutu Wells Aquifer and Turpentine Run settlement to purchase the 21.5 acres of prime East End real estate.

The government believes it will need $4.2 million to purchase the property, based on recent appraisals it had done to determine the fair market value.

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