After the ground breaking for Phase 1 of the project was announced last week, residents of Chalan Kanoa called Variety to air their concern that trees might be cut as soon as the construction starts.
A resident, who doesn’t want to be identified, said the courtyard planning team could construct as many parks as they want as long as they don’t cut the trees or destroy the environment.
“Why would they cut the trees that are older than me and replace it with new ones for landscaping?” the resident asked.
He expects environmental organizations to stage protests to protect the trees and other plants that will be affected by the construction.
The project site is in front of the U.S. Post Office in Chalan Kanoa.
The Department of Public Works, the Saipan Municipal Council, the Division of Environmental Quality, the Zoning Board and the Historic Preservation Office are collaborating on the project.
