DPAC commences implementation review of Initial Gaming Facility

The Development Plan Advisory Committee under the Office of the Governor has commenced development monitoring of the completion of the Initial Gaming Facility in Garapan, Saipan, pursuant to the mandates of the Casino License Agreement.

The DPAC was created by the CLA to allow the CNMI to monitor the implementation status of the Initial Gaming Facility and Phase I of the proposed Saipan Integrated Resorts by the licensee, Imperial Pacific International, LLC.

Within the DPAC, the CNMI is represented by Pacific Century Inc., a firm selected through a competitive Request for Proposal issued by the CNMI in 2015. The DPAC is funded by the licensee as required by the CLA.

Pacific Century Inc., is a local consulting firm, specializing in development and project management. The firm has represented various multi-national firms such as ABB Energy

Ventures, Hydro —a division of Mitsui & Co., Huawei Technologies and other international firms in promoting sustainable development. Imperial Pacific is represented by the local architectural firm N15, which is involved in several development projects on Saipan and whose credentials include the design of the new US Courthouse in Gualo Rai.

The goal of DPAC is to make a determination of the construction status and timeline for safe construction and completion of the facilities, and the operational start up for both the Initial Gaming Facility the proposed Saipan Integrated Resorts.

Pacific Century Inc., has announced the appointment of Don Smith to undertake the construction schedule reviews. Smith has extensive background in project management, and has worked in large-scale construction projects in the Middle East, North Asia and the Americas. He was the program manager for the CNMI Water Task Force from 2002 to 2006 with professional experience in the U.S. Atomic Commission and the Department of Defense.

In addition, Pacific Century Inc., has also hired Euro Asia Consultants, a leading casino and hospitality consulting firm to assist in enhancing the DPAC’s capacity in the development management of the proposed Saipan Integrated Resorts. Euro Asia Consultants is headed by Stephen Karoul, an industry professional with over 40 years in the marketing of casinos, hotels, and integrated resorts in United States and in Asia. Also assisting Karoul, is Dean Macomber, another respected gaming industry professional with extensive casino operational expertise in the Asia-Pacific region and Las Vegas.

DPAC’s mission is to guide the timely implementation and successful development of the Saipan Casino Industry. An analysis of the implementation schedules and reports to the Office of the Governor are expected to be completed in May 2018. These reports would provide the basis to determine if adjustments in implementation are justifiable, and more importantly, be of benefit to the people of the Commonwealth. (PR)