By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Department of Public Works yesterday broke ground for the new pathway from American Memorial Park to the port of Saipan.
The pathway will start from the Army Reserve headquarters to the entrance of the port and is among five projects in the Garapan Tourist District Revitalization Plan, according to Public Works Secretary Jose Demapan.
The Garapan revitalization plan is funded by U.S. Office of Insular Affairs grants.
Demapan said three other revitalization projects have already been completed — the Paseo de Marianas Mall, Coral Tree Avenue and the Garapan pathway.
DPW, he added, is still in the process of completing another revitalization project — the water quality restoration near Fiesta Resort & Spa.
The park to port pathway will be five feet wide and connect the existing pathway at American Memorial Park to the entrance of the port.
Demapan said about $350,000 will be spent on the new pathway.
He said DPW wants to construct more revitalization projects in other parts of the CNMI “in order to enhance our tourism industry, improve our economy, and create a better enviroment for our guests and citizens.”
Lt. Gov. Timothy P, Villagomez, who spoke on behalf of the governor, said the new pathway will have a drainage system, erosion control and underground electrical connections.
He said it will give tourists and residents easy access to and from the port.
The project is scheduled to be finished by July and AIC Marianas Inc. is the contractor.