Financing for Rota subdivision project eyed

Government-owned Northern Marianas Housing Corporation has been asked to help the municipality of Rota identify a permanent financing scheme for the proposed turnkey subdivision in the island’s Sinapalo village.

Rep. William S. Torres last week sought the assistance of Housing Manager Diana Crisostimo in Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona’s proposal to construct a 30-unit housing subdivision for the island’s low income families.

Mr. Torres informed the NMHC Board of Directors of the progress of the proposal, after Mr. Manglona submitted to him a packet of information that includes shop drawings for the proposed subdivision, surveyed plot plan and topographic survey map.

According to the congressman, the key element to the successful implementation of the turnkey subdivision for Sinapalo is permanent housing, as he urged the NMHC Board to deliberate on the proposal “and provide the necessary guidance toward a fruitful resolution.”

“It is my understanding that the Rota delegation has already identified the funding for infrastructure development in Sinapalo,” Mr. Torres told Ms. Crisostimo in an October 18, 2000 letter.

He added that this includes funding for road paving, water line connection, power hookup, and storm drainage system. Rota Public Works will be responsible for overseeing the construction management of the subdivision project.

The Rota municipal government earlier sought the assistance of the CNMI Legislature as it gears up for the construction of a residential subdivision, aimed at providing affordable housing for the island’s low-income families.

However, availability of sufficient funding sources may take its toll on the proposed 30-turnkey house subdivision project in the island.

Only after the official assurances of funding availability and official blueprint, can Rota start mapping out a permanent financing scheme for the proposed turnkey housing subdivision with the assistance of the NMHC.

According to Mr. Torres, there is a need to identify funding for off-site infrastructure for the design, construction, installation and construction management or supervisory services for road, water, sewer and power.

He pointed out that another requirement that would have to be in place before the project can go full swing is the real property designation for the proposed public residential subdivision, as well as the approval of subdivision site development master plan.

Mr. Torres also mentioned funding for housing subdivision project A&E design and construction management services as key element that would pave the road for the realization of the proposed residential subdivision.