He recalled that in 2006 a U.S-based investor expressed interest in putting up a hotel in the area with a floating restaurant extending to the lagoon.
Although the CNMI government has not heard from this investor over the past four years, Babauta said the administration wants to make Garapan Fishing Base available for interested investors.
“We are still optimistic that the investor will come back or that there will be a new investor,” he said.
Meantime, the administration has allowed a group of Saipan’s farmers to use the area to sell their produce every Tuesday night.
The annual Liberation activities are also held in the area.
Babauta denied the rumor that DPL has given the farmers three months to leave the Garapan Fishing Base because an investor is coming soon.
He said he met with the officials of the Saipan Sabalu Farmers Market Association last week to make an inventory of all the vendors in the area.
“We just want to get the official roster of the Sabalu market participants,” Babauta said, adding that it’s only wise and prudent that DPL should have updated records.
The Sabalu market vendors met last Saturday and expressed concern about DPL’s plan.
Some farmers said they should be provided another area if DPL wants them to move out of Garapan Fishing Base.
