Beautification failed to impress businesses

Some business owners in Western Garapan appear to be resistant to ongoing changes slowly unfolding at the heart of Saipan’s busiest commercial district, where several site-enhancement infrastructures including a pedestrian mall are soon to rise.

Establishment proprietors within the Western Garapan area yesterday aired concerns on some developments occurring around the vicinity seen to be more of an impediment to their business operations.

The Strategic Economic Development Council, pilot to the Garapan beautification project, listened to the grievances expressed by community members during a public meeting it co-hosted with the Western Garapan Community Police.

Among others, diminishing vehicle parking spaces was an important concern raised by majority of Garapan-based entrepreneurs present at the meeting.

Notwithstanding the district’s existing parking woes, business owners expressed fears there would be less places to park should the developments pursue to crowd the narrow roads.

The owner of Chamorro House, a restaurant that has remained in Garapan area for 18 years now, said the government is creating more problems for businesses through the implementation of the improvement project.

But SEDC member Marian Aldan-Pierce explained the merits of ongoing efforts to beautify Garapan, a project seen to alleviate the Commonwealth’s financial woes through aggressive marketing and physical improvements.

If the public and private sector do not act now, the Commonwealth’s deficit by 2004 could reach up to $60 million, according to the DFS President.

“If we take the ‘do nothing’ scenario, we could end up with this very high deficit,” said Ms. Aldan-Pierce.

She also assured the public that as the developments take place, steps will be taken to mitigate what is expected to be inevitable problems on vehicle traffic as well as parking.

Police Major Clyde K. Norita delivered a slide presentation detailing mapped-out plans by the Council to re-channel the traffic situation through the installation of traffic lights, new road signs, and others.

The draft of the traffic realignment proposal is still being refined.

Council members admitted that with these vital changes occurring in the community, it is quite natural for the community to have dissenting opinions.

“We can’t please everyone but for us planners, we’re doing what is best for the majority,” said Ms. Aldan-Pierce.

SEDC’s efforts to improve Saipan as a more attractive tourist destination was built on years of planning and research.

It’s proposal is anticipated to generate an additional $200 million in revenues in a four-year period through the revitalization of the islands’ tourism industry.

The additional resources in government coffers between 2001 and 2005 will be spurred by revitalization of the islands’ tourism industry which suffered a major setback when Asian currencies collapsed in 1997.

Part of the recommendations by the Council is the beautification and the development of a focal point for visitors and residents within the commercial district of Garapan.

The beautification plan includes the construction of a pedestrian mall, a permanent and a temporary koban, special zoning, sidewalk extension among others which should cost the government close to $2.8 million.

The beautification project, which is phase one of the Garapan Revitalization Project, is expected to be completed in June 2002. The project is aimed at improving the district’s landscaping, parking, traffic flow and lighting.

The Garapan Revitalization Project’s design and construction cost is estimated to reach over $21 million. Initial funding of $2 million has been set aside for the program under the Capital Improvement Project Plan.