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Garapan Annex RFP to be re-issued
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Posted on Mar 11 2012
The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. will reissue its request for proposal for the Garapan Annex property.
Housing board members voted unanimously on Friday for the re-issuance of the RFP “to follow the relevant statutes” as advised by their legal counsel.
Only board member Diego Songao from Rota was unable to attend Friday’s meeting.
The corporation issued in December the RFP for the Garapan Annex, a 45-unit property built on a 40,000 square-meter lot across the Commonwealth Health Center and near a supermarket, school, and restaurants.
The board cancelled the RFP at its Feb. 23 meeting, citing legal issues.
After Friday’s meeting, board chair Marcie Tomokane said that two companies have expressed interest in the RFP but only one, Triple J Enterprises, completed the RFP requirements.
Triple J representatives led by founder Bob Jones were also at the meeting. Jones recommended to the board not to set a minimum or maximum bid for the Garapan Annex and instead have prospective bidders “go as much as they want to.”
Saipan Tribune learned that the corporation is eyeing $8 million for the property. Tomokane explained that the amount was calculated based on the most recent sale appraisal in the Garapan area and not on an actual appraisal.
“If we issue the new RFP, we are going to do a new appraisal as part of the statute,” added Tomokane.
Triple J’s Michael Sablan also recommended that the new RFP take into account the roadways and ponding basin as part of government property, to which Tomokane responded that it will be considered “as long as we don’t deny access to private landowners.”
