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Reyes interested in ready-site use for Plumeria
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Posted on Oct 24 2005
Housing Task Force chair John S. Reyes said he would like to see an infrastructure-ready site for Plumeria Estate, as suggested by the Commonwealth Development Authority.
“I’m interested to know if there’s such an available site right now. If they [CDA, NMI Housing Corp.] think that the MIHA project in Garapan can be redesigned and converted, then let’s go for it,” said Reyes.
He said, though, that such a plan would not be easy as proposed since there are some units there that are being used.
While some units are dilapidated, others currently house the CNMI Boy Scout, Head Start, and a learning center for youths, among others.
CDA board chair Tom Glenn Quitugua said earlier that the lower MIHA project, located at the back of NMHC and Garapan Elementary School, can be modernized and converted into a premier housing project, such as the Plumeria Estate, which up to now has not taken off due to lack of funding.
The Housing Task Force has identified a 13-hectare land in Koblerville for the project, but the site still requires utility and roadways infrastructure. This calls for a $5.7 million capital.
The Plumeria Estates project involves the construction of 28 new houses for first time local homeowners.
Recently, Reyes said the task force is eyeing 702 capital improvement funds for the infrastructure project.
Based on the initial plan, Reyes said that the government aims to tap the CIP funds for years 2007 and 2008 for the infrastructure project. He said the task force hopes to work out a repayment tool with the Marianas Public Lands Trust. The housing has also looked at the Marianas Public Lands Authority as alternative funding source for repayment.
Due to a lack of funding, the awarding of project contract to a developer is held off.
