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NMHC board still discussing RFP on Garapan Annex
The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. is still in discussion on the request for proposal for the Garapan Annex, according to NMHC board member Diego Songao.
In an interview last Friday before the start of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board meeting, Songao told Saipan Tribune that talks about the Garapan Annex is ongoing and that no further information could be released until a decision is made. Songao is also a CUC board member.
During last Wednesday’s meeting, the board moved to discuss the RFP finalization in an executive session—a private meeting—as requested by NMHC board member from Tinian, Ignacio Kiyoshi Jr.
In an earlier interview, NMHC deputy corporate director Jeannie Mafnas said NMHC was still in the process of finalizing the RFP.
It has almost been three years since the decision to establish the Garapan Annex was first tabled.
NMHC owns the 40,000 square-meter lot across the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and Garapan Elementary School and it contains 45 units that have not been used for years. Several investors have expressed interest in developing the property.
Back then, Mariana Islands Housing Authority allowed NMHC to lease the area for commercial development. The RFP for the Garapan Annex was first issued in December 2012 but this was later cancelled due to unspecified legal issues.
In related news, NMHC has also moved the deadline to submit project proposals for its Community Development Block Grant program funds to April 6. March 23 was the initial deadline. A total of over $700,000 is available for project proposals while over $100,000 will remain with NMHC to fund its administrative costs.
