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‘It’s goodbye to adult firms in Garapan’
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Posted on Jan 25 2006
The Fitial administration is setting its sights on finally ridding the Garapan tourist district of adult establishments.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial met with the Saipan Zoning Board on Tuesday to discuss zoning in Garapan.
According to press secretary Charles P. Reyes, Fitial vowed to fund the board’s office and hire an administrator for the agency.
“One of the main objectives is to clean up Paseo de Marianas, to relocate the unpopular businesses such as poker rooms, massage parlors, and nightclubs,” Reyes said.
The administration is looking at relocating the adult establishments to the northern part of the island “without affecting the historic sites there,” Reyes said.
The former La Fiesta shopping complex is being considered as one possible site, he added.
“The governor is committed to making Garapan a family-friendly area. He wants to reduce solicitation and enforce laws,” Reyes said.
Former Gov. Juan N. Babauta lifted the suspension of the Saipan zoning law in January last year by appointing individuals to the Saipan Zoning Board.
The Commonwealth enacted enabling legislation for Saipan zoning in 1989 and a zoning law in 1993. Before it could be put into action, however, the law was suspended by the Saipan local delegation.
Several task forces have been created to clean up Garapan.
One of these groups is Operation High-5, formerly headed by ex-Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, which aimed to eliminate prostitution and other illegal activities in Garapan.
