No takers for NMC’s student center, dorm partnership

There appears to be no-takers for the Northern Marianas College’s wish for a public-private partnership to build a new student center and student residence hall. With these partnerships, private companies would build on NMC land without charge or rent; in return they would finance, construct, and maintain these buildings.

The request-for-interest for these partnerships were issued in September. While some companies have picked up a package, “no one submitted anything,” according to NMC chief financial officer Tracy Guerrero.

She said costs for advertising in the newspapers would have to be factored in a re-announcement. NMC’s procurement office would not comment and college president Dr. Sharon Hart could not be reached as of press time.

In an interview, Board of Regents member William Torres, who chairs the fiscal committee on facilities, said the lack of takers was “expected.”

“We created our own problem when we did not invite private businesses, vendors, or developers to ask questions,” he said.

He believes there is interest on island but that companies may have been left “uncertain” with submitting packages.

He believes companies should have been briefed. He said the requests would be re-issued but this time with one addition—making sure the process is explained to developers, investors, and businesses.

He said this kind of partnership is “nothing new.” He pointed to hotels on island and their relationship with the Department of Public Lands as successful models for private-public partnerships

These private developers would be asked to invest long-term in NMC for about 25 to 30 years, he said, essentially “rent-free.”

NMC right now has over 20 hectares of land, he said. NMC could also acquire surrounding properties it if deems it proper.

He said Plumeria Hotel had been considered in the past but struck down due to a “multiple-ownership” issue. He said there are other local providers interested in building off campus.

In the next facility committee meeting, he said they would be discussing the RFI. He said the subcommittee would recommend to the board to re-issue the RFI.

This time, Torres aims to have a further reach. He said they might publish the RFI this time not just locally but regionally and nationally. He said it is important to “go beyond the local market.”