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MVA OKs general scheme for PDM Flower Island
The Marianas Visitors Authority has arrived at a general scheme to begin the “Flower Island” project at the Paseo De Marianas. Architect Timothy Lang, of TRL Architecture and Environmental Consulting, presented some of the proposed details of the plan during their board meeting last Friday.
MVA is working with Japanese landscape architect Junichi Inada and local architects and engineers on the project. Right now, Inada is producing landscape documents. This is expected to be done by the end of the month and MVA expects an invitation to bid in April.
Physical changes to Paseo De Marianas are proposed, along with installation of flowers and plants like bougainvillea beds or healthier palm trees, among others.
Lang said there are things at the center of the PDM pathway that prevent people on both ends from seeing where the path goes.
They look to “open things up” to give more space to events and exhibitions in the center all throughout PDM, as well as to create greater visibility down the pathway from both ends, he said.
They also propose incorporating a children’s play area, near the police office, or koban, on PDM’s west side, as well as “fixing up” the Japanese shrine.
Lang also highlighted the possible construction of a permanent stage.
This, he said, may borrow from Micronesian architecture, by using tall eight-frame roofs.
Board director Chris Nelson said the area behind this stage would be ideal for local groups to practice or perform informally.
He said exit surveys show tourists want to interact with locals. The venue will allow that to happen naturally, he said.
Lang described the steel glass roofs of PDM’s shaded seating areas as “industrial looking.” These he said may be replaced by wood frame to give it more of an island look.
After the project at PDM, the Flower Island project will then move to Banzai Cliff.
Overall, the project stems from Inada’s vision to create different “flower zones” at tourist-heavy sites on island, at the airport, the north side memorials, and at Mt. Tapochau for example.
