The Saipan Zoning Administration has also reviewed the council’s plan which it described as a “permissible activity within the village residential zone,” according to Antonia M. Tudela, the council’s chairwoman.
In his letter to DLNR Secretary Ignacio Dela Cruz, Tudela said the site development planning activities will begin once the Department of Public Land marks the land area for the project, which will be located at the Chalan Kanoa Roundhouse.
“The governor, upon learning of the proposal, encouraged highly the council to pursue and make possible this endeavor,” Tudela told DPL Secretary John Del Rosario.
According to Tudela, “The Chalan Kanoa roundhouse has a rich tradition and a place in the political history of the commonwealth and no less Saipan. For this place has served as a place of fellowship gathering, having served for and entered to different public functions over the years, including political assembly and campaigns. It is this aspect of history that has significant relevance to our political development as a [commonwealth] that makes this endeavor important to the people of Saipan, which the council would like to dedicate, preserve, protect and enhance whatever that is left of the facility for a memorial display of local leadership.”
She said the council will keep the facility open and accessible to the public and keep the facility and the surrounding area clean, landscaped orderly and lighted.
