Garapan eyed to start off ‘flower island’ project
The Marianas Visitors Authority’s rebranding effort of turning the CNMI into a “flower island” could soon start at the tourist district of Garapan.
MVA board chair Marian Aldan-Pierce said they have to move along on the flower island project and they could possibly move some funds to start it off by November or December.
WIN Landscape Planning and Design managing director Junichi Inada presented the project early in July as a means to increase the island’s beauty.
Inada’s concept aims to rejuvenate and refresh the brand images of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota into that of a beautiful beach resort destination full of green trees and colorful flowers.
Inada eyes seven zones on Saipan that could be used for the project: the “welcome zone” at the airport area, the east side called the eco-corridor, the west side called the flower corridor, Managaha Island as the paradise zone, the north side memorials as the flower garden zone, and Mt. Tapochau as the wild flower mountain zone.
The main highways leading to all major hotels on the east side of Saipan will be called the flower road and will be planted with numerous flowers, while the road to the airport will have a different flower style. The road leading to the island’s upper areas will feature different flowers as well.