THE planned completion of Phase 1 of the Garapan Revitalization Project will be pushed back to May, according to the director for the Office of Planning and Development, Christopher Concepcion.
He said there was a need to revise plans after breaking ground on the project.
“The base course needs to be flat and sloped properly so the water drains a certain direction,” Concepcion said. “There are drainage outlets throughout this area, but we want to make sure the water drains properly to those existing outlets.”
Phase 1 was originally scheduled to end this month. According to Variety files, Phase 1 affects Paseo De Marianas, Plumeria Road, Micro Beach Road, Ginger Avenue, Coconut Street, Coffee Tree Mall, Cpl. Derence Jack Road and Royal Palm Avenue.
Concepcion said he’s already heard back from business owners in the Paseo De Marianas area and is aware that some are frustrated.
He said business owners and the public should consider the long-term benefit of investing in Garapan’s destination enhancement.
“This is the best project we have going on in the Commonwealth right now,” Concepcion said. “This is the most important infrastructure-related project we have because it involves the improvement of the tourist district in the CNMI.”
Concepcion said the project is about repaving roads, updating sidewalks and curbs, adding new lighting and landscaping as well as 350 new parking stalls in Garapan.
He said when construction is completed, residents and tourists will be able to drive down Paseo De Marianas, bringing more business to the area.
Concepcion said for years, businesses in the area were unhappy that Paseo De Marianas was a pedestrian-only zone.
“They complained that it killed business,” Concepcion said. “We’re trying to fix that problem and turn it back into a road where vehicles can access it.”
He added, “We’re giving Paseo De Marianas a more special treatment. We’re adding wider sidewalks and more landscaping. And we’re putting nice stone pavers [exclusively] for Paseo De Marianas.”
Concepcion said the Garapan Revitalization Project could start a “positive cycle” of destination enhancement.
“Once we improve the right of way what we hope and expect is that it will encourage the private property owners to improve their properties,” he said. “It’s not easy, but we have to start somewhere…. Once we’re done, everyone’s going to love this project.”
An artist’s rendition of what Paseo De Marianas could look like once the Garapan Revitalization Project is completed.
