NMTI targets former FEBC building as its new facility

The Northern Marianas Technical Institute has set its eyes on the former Far Eastern Broadcasting Building in Marpi as its new facility.

A formal proposal was sent to the Department of Public Lands Secretary Pedro A. Tenorio on Aug. 12 asking that NMTI be granted the use of the former FEBC facility.

According to the proposal, NMTI president Agnes McPhetres and education director Victorino Cepeda first inspected the site about three weeks ago and were excited about how the facility could meet their program and student needs.

The proposal detailed the planned usage of facility’s five buildings and several housing units.

Building 1 of the FEBC facility—the two-story building on the left side as one enters the site—is planned for a learning resources library, an English and math computer lab, and a librarian’s office. Plans for its second floor will be faculty office and administration offices.

Building 2, across from Building 1, located on the left entering the site, is planned for offices for admissions and records, student services, a student center, as well as four classrooms and auto mechanics site at its back side.

Building 3, facing the ocean, is planned for NMTI’s construction trades program, which will offer courses in electricity and plumbing.

Building 4 across from Building 3, is planned for a Hotel/Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center.

Building 5—a two-story building—will be used for housing for students from Tinian and Rota.

The three houses at the entrance of is planned as off-island housing for faculty, with rental being considered for NMIT income.

In a media conference for recently awarded scholarships to a couple of NMTI students yesterday, Cepeda expressed belief in the current state of the facility to meet their programs needs.

“It’s all set, all we have to do is put the [NMTI] sign and go in there,” he said.

The proposal highlighted the site’s existing apartments, which NMTI wishes to use to address the housing needs of Rota and Tinian enrollees.

According to the proposal, this is to address the concerns of PSS board members from Rota and Tinian who posed questions on NMTI’s available services for those islands.

According to the proposal, the plan to use the former FEBC building was suggested by Gov. Eloy S. Inos when NMTI leaders met with the him to discuss the need for a new facility.