Business View Caribbean - Feb 2024

Knoepfel reflects. The collaboration with the local government to expedite the track’s reopening for the next Carnival in April 2024 illustrates a shared effort to preserve and enrich the community’s cultural heritage. THE DYNAMICS OF COLLABORATION Embarking on a project as culturally significant and complex as the revitalization of the Saint Thomas horse race track requires more than architectural skill and construction acumen. It demands a synergy of expertise, local knowledge, and financial ingenuity. JPK Developments finds itself at the heart of such a collaborative endeavor, working closely with Southland Gaming and a team of specialists dedicated to bringing this vision to life within a constrained budget. Knoepfel elucidates the nature of this partnership, emphasizing the critical roles essential personnel play. “We have a top-notch project manager, Scott Burnley, a licensed architect on the island, who is in constant communication with Ryan from Southland Gaming,” he shares.This duo’s collaboration is pivotal, navigating the project’s intricacies to ensure that the vision for the track becomes a reality. The conversation turns toward the delicate balance of creativity and fiscal responsibility that defines their work. “Our creative input is largely channeled into figuring out how to accomplish our goals within the tight budget constraints,” Knoepfel explains. This process involves a continuous dialogue with Ryan and his superiors at Southland Gaming, aiming to preempt financial hurdles that could derail the project. “Fiscal efficiency is paramount,” Knoepfel affirms, stressing the importance of adhering to the budget without compromising the quality or integrity of the project.This fiscal prudence emphasizes cost-cutting and making informed decisions that reflect a deep understanding of the local construction landscape and the project’s cultural significance. 41 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 02 JPK DEVELOPMENTS