Lawmakers warn infrastructure gaps could hinder investment in Roosevelt Roads
Listen to this article
0:00 / 0:00
House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez is pushing for additional funding to accelerate infrastructure upgrades at Roosevelt Roads, warning that failure to secure the necessary resources in the upcoming fiscal budget could delay efforts to attract private investment.
Speaking during a public hearing of the House Finance Committee, chaired by Eddie Charbonier Chinea, Méndez Núñez emphasized that improvements to water and wastewater systems are critical to the long-term viability of the former naval base redevelopment project in Ceiba.
The hearing, which focused on the economic development component of the proposed budget, included testimony from Carlos Ríos Pierluisi, executive director of the Roosevelt Roads Redevelopment Authority.
According to Ríos Pierluisi, current estimates place the cost of the water and sewer infrastructure projects at approximately $100 million. To date, only $23 million has been allocated, leaving a funding gap of roughly $77 million.
Méndez Núñez signaled that closing that gap will be a priority during budget negotiations.
“For me, this is essential, and we will push for it,” the speaker said. “If the $77 million is not included in the budget, we will make sure it is allocated.”
The House speaker, who represents District 36, which includes Ceiba, said the lack of investment in critical utilities has delayed redevelopment efforts for more than two decades.
“Twenty-three years of waiting is enough,” he said. “Under my leadership, we will not take funds away from Roosevelt Roads. That is my commitment.”
Lawmakers also raised questions about broader infrastructure planning at the site, including electricity, water and wastewater services, noting that these are key factors in positioning Roosevelt Roads as a competitive destination for private investment.
“If we want to market Roosevelt Roads as a hub for economic development, we must invest in its utilities,” Méndez Núñez said.
Lawmakers participate in a House Finance Committee hearing at the Capitol to discuss funding for infrastructure projects at Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba.
Sees software ecosystem flourishing Orlando Bravo’s initiation as an investor was the dot-com bubble burst of the early 2000s, which wiped out an estimated $5 trillion in stock market value. Surviving this trial by fire, to then go on to become the first Puerto Rican-born billionaire, has resulted in an optimistic but more temperate approach […]
As Puerto Rico’s economy evolves, businesses increasingly rely on strategic banking partnerships to scale sustainably and navigate complex financial challenges.
