NMHC gives Koblerville project a push

The Northern Marianas Housing Corporation has agreed to move “slowly” on the multimillion-dollar Koblerville expansion project after completing evaluation on three prospective contractors of the 45 housing units, its corporate director said yesterday.

The decision is a step to steer clear from potential protests that may delay the project viewed by government officials as an effort to spur the local economy through increased construction activities on the island.

According to Marylou S. Ada, the construction management team hired by NMHC conducted comprehensive consultation last week with the three final bidders — Pac United, North Pacific Builders and Telesource — as part of its evaluation.

“They are taking time to compile their reports because of the close ranking points between these prospective contractors,” she explained in an interview.

“They want to be very careful and they want to proceed slowly… so we won’t be subjected to further protests,” Ada said.

At least 45 families, selected from applications received by the housing corporation since last October, are awaiting to receive their respective housing units, but Ada said the NMHC board has yet to decide on the sole contractor.

Once the report from the management team has been completed, the board of directors will have to deliberate on the results and award the contract estimated at $7 million.

More than 10 construction firms on the island offered proposals to the housing project, but the list was whittled down to six and later to three that made the final evaluation process.

Ada said they are trying to avoid protests in a bid to fast track the project, although it had hit a legal snag once when the agency’s procurement regulations were questioned before the Attorney General’s Office.

The Koblerville expansion is aimed at providing housing units to first time homeowners who will pick among the 19 models designed by a Honolulu-based architectural firm.

More than 100 applications were received by NMHC. Out of the 45 eligible families, five will qualify for the two-bedroom house, 25 for the three-bedroom house and 15 for the four-bedroom units.

While NMHC hopes to finish the project within 10 months, it has yet to set specific date of its construction.

Local officials have been looking at the construction industry to help alleviate the current economic slump since the project is expected to benefit small contractors who are bearing the brunt of the two-year crisis.