‘Start discussion to build new museum’

Discussions between the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the CNMI Museum of History and Culture board should start now about possibly relocating the museum to a new building.

According to Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan), a new facility won’t only be an additional attraction to tourists, but would also educate the community about the Commonwealth’s past.

The museum needs a significant amount of money so repairs could be made and other issues faced by the decades-old facility could be addressed. The roof leaks and the building suffers from other structural defects.

The Marianas Visitors Authority has set aside $50,000 for the museum. The Ways and Means Committee of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation has allocated $55,326 of $588,037 from House Local Bill 20-4 for the same purpose.

The committee, chaired by Demapan, recommended the bill to be passed at the next SNILD delegation. Rep. Gregorio M. Sablan Jr. (R-Saipan) introduced HLB 20-4.

Demapan said the amount would take care of the museum’s immediate needs as the facility has a lot of structural damage. He added that CNMI officials would like to see a new and permanent facility that would house CNMI artifacts and other materials related to the culture and traditions of the people.

“In the long run, what we’d like to see is to come up with funding so we could build a new museum. The museum for me is not only a tourist attraction but also a resource of our people,” said Demapan. “It serves everybody, residents and tourists alike, so we need to have a museum that is adequate, proper, and safe for people to visit.”

With new revenue coming in, the prospect of having a new museum is possible.

“One of the plans that could move forward is start discussing with DCCA and the museum’s directors to start looking at a feasibility study or some kind of planning on potential new locations and how much it would take to build a new [museum],” said Demapan.

“Definitely, with new revenue coming in, projected again for the new fiscal year, and with more economic activity, construction of a new museum would definitely be a project that we could pursue.”
 
Private sector’s help

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and DCCA Secretary Robert Hunter said two companies have offered to help.

Torres said one of the companies that came forward is IT&E. “We actually got a verbal commitment from [IT&E chairman of the board] Ricky Delgado to sponsor the museum and look at how they could assist and work to improve it as a tourist attraction.”

“We’re also communicating with the Philippines to have a galleon in exchange of gold coins and other artifacts. The partnership is another way of collaboration when it comes to displaying the treasures we have,” added Torres.

Hunter, meanwhile, said that another company has offered the use of their building while renovations are being done. “An offer was made to us by a company here to relocate space when renovated.”

There are options on the table. I am no longer involved with the museum directly so I can’t speak for the board.”

Hunter declined to give further details of the proposed project. “There’s no green light yet as to the other details. I’m not going to say anything in public yet. There are other offers of alternative sites and space. The news would be out in a few months. Whether we accept it or not is up to the board and the museum director.”
 
Not permanent

Hunter said the museum’s current location was supposed to be not permanent and a new facility was proposed more than 10 years ago. “A new museum was drawn up that would have a cultural center, Historic Preservation Office, Arts Council, CNMI archives, and several related offices.”

“That project was going to be funded in part by [the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development], but it was killed a littler over a decade ago.”

He added that the museum’s building is almost 100 years old. “In six years it would be 100 years old so there are always going to be inherent structural problems. Now there are also foundation problems so it would be an expensive renovation.”