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Asian groups want to build govt center
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Posted on Jun 03 2006
At least two Asian firms have expressed interest to build the CNMI government’s proposed multi-million capitol building on Saipan.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who arrived Friday morning from a visit to Manila and Hong Kong, said that both Prime Asia and Shanghai-based Jin Jang company want to submit bids for the project.
“Prime Asia, a construction company, has expressed their interest to participate. Jin Jang is also interested,” said Fitial during a news briefing Friday afternoon.
He said the proposed project would cost $18 million to $22 million.
“But I’m good at cutting costs. So, we’re looking at probably $18 million,” said the governor.
He said the design and the actual construction would be bid out separately.
Foreign contractors would be partnering with local businessmen Anthony Pellegrino and Brian Reyes, the official said.
The Fitial administration plans to construct a capitol building that would house most, if not all, government agencies.
The new complex would be build not on Capitol Hill but in Susupe, in the location of the old court next to the Multi-Purpose Center and the Department of Public Safety office.
The facility would house the Governor’s Office, the Legislature and other government offices.
The administration said that putting most government agencies in one place would cut on rental fees.
It said that currently, the government spends a total of $3.2 million annually on rent or lease of office space.
