‘It’s so sad at night’

Third part of a series

After 19 years of working in Garapan, Julie Arellano feels sad when she looks out the glass windows of Furusato, where she works, and sees what has become of what should be the bustling heart of Saipan.

Shuttered windows, abandoned buildings, a Paseo de Marianas that sits mostly empty—Arellano said that Garapan is supposed to be the premiere place on Saipan but she has seen it deteriorate over the years.

“I started work here in 1991 and I experienced Garapan when it was bustling with people and shops. Today, you walk through Paseo de Marianas at night, the lights are dim, and you see a few people,” she said.

“During the day, you will see people—tourists and locals—because of the souvenir shops, designer stores, and restaurants. But these people come here for a purpose—to shop and to eat at their favorite restaurants. They don’t really come here to see the sights because there is not much to see,” she added.

So when she heard about the stakeholders meeting called by the Office of Planning and Development, Saipan Zoning, Office, and Garapan Revitalization Task Force last June, it gave her hope that the Garapan she saw 28 years ago will make a comeback and be even better.

The Garapan Revitalization Plan wants to transform Garapan into a premier family-friendly destination, featuring a wide range of shopping, dining, entertainment, civic, and commercial uses in a world-class beach resort setting that is attractive for visitors and residents, according to OPD deputy director Chris Concepcion.

“The plan envisions Garapan affirming its claim as the center of economic activity and the heart of our tourism industry. …The plan is composed of multi-phases that will start on the west side part of the Garapan Core,” he said.

The Garapan Revitalization Task Force itself is composed of businesses, residents, and government agencies collaborating to alleviate some of the many challenges facing the area.

Tasi Tours president Masato Tezuka supports that vision from the viewpoint of tour operators such as his company. “I used to work in Hawaii, that’s why I know how important developing and beautifying Garapan is to capture tourists’ interests and admiration. …If Garapan gives a good impression, then that will create a big impact for visitors in the CNMI,” he said.

“Garapan’s overall look and identity must match the brand strategy of how we market Saipan internationally, which is, in one word, ‘beautiful’—landscape, scenery, colorful flowers, nature etc. …The total design of Garapan is very important because it can be developed to be a symbol area to represent the Marianas,” he added.

Yugo Narita, a PADI instructor at Aqua Connections Inc. Hi-Five Co., Ltd. located in Garapan, said that they would gladly participate if the GRTF reaches out to them for suggestion or advice on how to improve Garapan.

“I was born and raised here on Saipan so I know the old times, the Garapan 15 years ago. All the places were occupied, Garapan Square had a lot of shops and it was busy, but now the building is pretty much empty.”

“We have a problem with flooding, stray dogs, and parking. …I noticed there are some businesses at the Paseo de Marianas that are open one day and closed the next. Development might take a while but we will definitely work with them if they come to us for help. Everybody’s pretty positive about Mr. Chris Concepcion as he’s the one that brought [Skymark Airlines Inc.”

Convincing Skymark Airlines to fly to the CNMI was one of Concepcion’s achievement when he was still the head of the Marianas Visitors Authority.

Speaking in front of business leaders at the membership meeting of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday at the Seaside Ballroom of Kanoa Resort in Susupe, Office of Planning and Development director Kodep Ogumuro-Uludong said that part of the Garapan revitalization plan is to bring in technical expertise to assist the GRTF in turning Garapan into a world-class tourist destination.

He added that the update from the group is that the GRTF reconvened to review issues on parking, fire lanes, cleanliness, underground water drainage, storm water run-off, resurfacing of pavement, construction of curbs, sidewalks, gutters, lighting, and landscaping.