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Cavanagh slams alleged secret meeting of BSI, DPL, lawmakers
Alleged blueprint includes Kan Pacific lease as part of integrated resort
Mariana Resort & Spa general manager Gloria Cavanagh isn’t pleased with rumors that Best Sunshine International, Ltd. has presented a blueprint that shows the current public land it leases in Marpi as part of the exclusive casino licensee’s integrated resort.
“We have become aware of a recent reports that Best Sunshine has been meeting with some CNMI legislators in closed-door private sessions and that there have been secretive meetings between Best Sunshine and Department of Public Land officials regarding the Mariana Resort property,” Cavanagh said.
The Mariana Resort general manager said the secret meetings involve nine lawmakers.
“We are concerned as to whether the fate of our establishment is going to be subject to a process that is improper and unfair, and not in the best interests of the people of the CNMI and their families,” said Cavanagh.
DPL has announced that it would offer for bidding all existing public land leases that are close to expiration.
“The CNMI needs a diverse economy with different investors. There is plenty of land in the CNMI to accommodate new businesses, like Best Sunshine. For 37 years, Kan Pacific has been a responsible and valuable tenant that has provided hundreds of jobs and millions of tax dollars and lease revenue. Forcing Kan Pacific out of business for a speculative venture is economically irresponsible, and doing so would not be in the best interests of the CNMI community,” Cavanagh said.
Kan Pacific owns Mariana Resort & Spa.
“Clearly and logically, the interests of the people of the CNMI and their families would best be served by having new businesses like Best Sunshine join the established ones, like Mariana Resort & Spa, who have been in the community and have proven themselves to be trustworthy reliable tenants and valuable assets to the community. Renewing Kan Pacific’s lease is economically responsible, makes good sense, and is in the best interest of the CNMI,” she added.
Among members of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Kan Pacific’s public land lease expires the earliest on April 30, 2018. It is pursuing a new lease with a commitment of some $30 million in added investment.
Other hotels with land leases that are close to expiring are Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan and Hyatt Regency Saipan in Garapan, Pacific Islands Club Saipan in San Antonio, and Kanoa Resort in Susupe.
