Other NMI projects to follow Garapan revitalization completion
On Feb. 13 the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Garapan Revitalization Project signaled the end of a project that began in November 2022 through an $11.2 million grant awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The project, which was overseen by the Office of Planning & Development, which is under the Office of the Governor, encompassed street paving, sidewalks and curbs construction, gutters and drainage piping, installation of solar powered streetlights, landscaping and 350 parking stalls.
Palm Street in Garapan with curbs, sidewalks, and parking. Photo courtesy of the Office of Planning and Development
The EDA has awarded the Northern Mariana Islands 10 grants totaling more than $100 million for projects and improvements.
Other EDA projects overseen by OPD include the $21.2 million Oleai Sports Complex and Events Center, awarded in June 2021.
Notices to Proceed on the architecture and engineering design for both the Sports Complex and the Cultural Events Center were issued in March 2023. In fiscal 2025 drawings for both project sites were completed. Permitting and solicitation for construction are due in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
OPD also has oversight of the NMI Comprehensive Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan together with the Inter-Island Solid Waste Management Taskforce. A final draft of the plan was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Construction Agency and as of September the plan was approved by the EPA, “unlocking access to nearly $32 million in federal funds through the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 for priority solid waste and recycling infrastructure projects,” according to OPD’s fiscal 2025 Citizen Centric Report.
The Beach Road Improvement Plan. Photo from Journal files
Solid Waste infrastructure investments include a five-Year Plan, Tinian and Rota Landfills, heavy equipment procurement and repairs, and the hiring of Solid Waste management staff.
As part of ongoing Super Typhoon Sinlaku and Super Typhoon Bavi relief efforts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is constructing 18 modular classrooms and two restrooms at the Northern Marianas College.
Regional leaders, government officials, and industry executives gathered at the Guam International Airport Authority on Wednesday, July 22 for the inaugural session of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Working Group, driving a unified regional effort to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines.
GTA contributed to relief efforts in support of the Mayor’s Council of Guam, donating 60 cases of water and gas cards for fuel to aid Rota’s ongoing recovery.
A regional tropical cyclone formation alert has been issued as a developing weather disturbance northwest of Yap threatens to strengthen the seasonal monsoon across western Micronesia and the Mariana Islands.
