THE $4.3 million Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority administrative building and maintenance facility project in Lower Base is now complete.
CNMI officials gathered at the new site for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, two years after its groundbreaking ceremony.
“It was just about two years ago today, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, that we gathered here for the groundbreaking ceremony to kick off this project…. We made it,” said Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda Camacho Maratita.
The plans for the building were drawn up in 2013 by the late Thomas J. Camacho, the former special assistant for public transportation, through a $1.1 million Federal Transit Administration competitive grant.
After the architecture and engineering design was completed in 2013, it was learned that there was a huge budget shortfall of $3.2 million.
“The only other way [to carry out the project] was to try and go after another [Federal Transit Administration] competitive grant, and we did just that. Through the [FTA’s] Bus and Bus Facilities Program, COTA applied for this grant opportunity, and in September 2018, was awarded the shortfall needed to fully complete this project,” Maratita said.
“It has definitely not been smooth sailing to get to where we are today, but with determination and faith, this day could not be more than close to perfect,” she added.
The structure includes paved parking, driveway, bus parking lot, stormwater mitigation, treatment, and drainage, perimeter security and lighting, bus wash pad, water separator, site security fencing, generator building, water tank, and maintenance facility.
The building houses offices, a conference room, training rooms, reception area, storage, library, lounge, kitchen, one-click-one-call center for COTA staff, restrooms, and staff showers and locker rooms.
“Ribbon-cutting ceremonies such as this provide the opportunity to reflect upon all it took to reach this point,” Maratita said. “Our chief goal remains the same: to ensure the level and quality of transportation services provided to all persons of the CNMI. This building will allow COTA to fulfill that and so much more. Therefore, we as residents of these very islands must work together to continue to support and invest in public transportation, to continuously stimulate the economic growth, and improve the quality of life for every single person living here in the CNMI.”
Maratita thanked the U.S. Department of Transportation for fully funding the project and supporting COTA’s plans to expand public transportation in the CNMI.
She likewise recognized the COTA team for all of the sacrifices and dedication that each one of them has put forth to ensure that the CNMI community is safe, whether it be during a disaster or a global pandemic.
Furthermore she thanked Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, FTA Region IX Administrator Ray Tellis, program engineer Ryan Fuji, the Department of Public Works, GHD Inc., RNV Construction, IT&E, Joeten Motors, Kautz Glass, Michels Corporation, Marpac, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Finance, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, and all permitting agencies for contributing to the project.
“I am so honored to have worked with so many men and women, both in the public and private sectors, who contributed to this historic achievement for our CNMI,” said Maratita.
COTA was established to develop a public transportation system in the CNMI.
The governor, for his part, extended his gratitude to Maratita, all COTA employees, and the federal partners who helped in making the project possible.
FTA Region IX Administrator Ray Tellis commended Maratita and the COTA team for their hard work.
“It’s not every day that we fund a facility at 100%, so kudos to you,” he said in his special remarks.
“This is the first project of its kind in the territories, and it’s led by a woman executive. I mean, that is really something,” said Tellis, who underscored the importance of inclusion and equity in serving a diverse community and catering to the public’s transportation needs.
CNMI officials led by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres cut the ceremonial ribbon, marking the official opening of the new Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority facility.
Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority team members stand as they are recognized by Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda Camacho Maratita (not in photo).
Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda Camacho Maratita poses for a photo in the reception area of the new facility.
Federal Transit Administration Region IX Administrator Ray Tellis poses for a photo in the new facility.
