MVA awarded $1.4M to enhance tourist sites

The Economic Development Administration has awarded the Marianas Visitors Authority $1.4 million that will be used to renovate and enhance the CNMI’s most popular tourist sites.

MVA managing director Chris Concepcion said in an interview that infrastructure enhancements are underway for popular tourist spots on island such as Bird Island, Suicide Cliff, and Last Command Post.

“We [got] a $1.4-million grant from the Economic Development Administration, which we are going to use to fund the renovation of Bird Island—a complete renovation [that] includes brand new railings, brand new stairs, a lookout deck, and paved organized parking,” he said. “We’re [also] going to re-design and re-develop Suicide Cliff and we’re going to build a brand-new restroom at the Last Command Post. Although there is a restroom there now, it is not in service, and it has been vandalized and destroyed after someone broke in there and smashed the toilets.”

Concepcion said the grant will predominately be used to build a new and larger restroom at the Last Command Post that will serve as the main restroom in Marpi.

“Rather than spend money on repairs and maintenance, we’re going to use this money to fund the full renovation and expand the restrooms [at the Last Command Post] so that it can become the main restroom in Marpi. We’re going to concentrate on building a new and larger restroom at Last Command Post because it is the first tourist site when you arrive at Marpi,” he said.

Concepcion explained that it would cost more to maintain the existing restrooms in Marpi as they have been vandalized several times.

“It is very expensive to maintain restrooms in every site. Yes, Grotto is there and there is a restroom there that is being maintained by Parks and [Recretations] and the one at Banzai cliff was also renovated by the Department of Corrections but, unfortunately, vandals got in and destroyed it. I don’t know what the answer is to all this vandalism other than beefing up enforcement and patrolling the area to deter people from vandalizing these places,” he stated.

In addition, Concepcion said that MVA is working with the Office of Grants Management on their project to renovate Banzai Cliff.

“I also understand that the Office of Grants Management has been awarded a grant for the renovation of Banzai Cliff so that’s another separate funding. But they have been in consultation with us about this project, we’ve provided our support because Banzai is one of the key sites in the CNMI. We will continue to work closely with them but it is their grant and project. MVA will be involved throughout the process to make sure that the tourism industry is represented,” he said.

Lastly, Concepcion said, part of MVA’s fiscal year 2024 budget will go toward helping the Department of Land and Natural Resources maintain the tourist spots in Marpi.

“Some of our budget includes support to government agencies who will be maintaining the sites now. We have historically, and will continue, to provide funding for fuel and supplies for Parks and Recreation who maintain the sites in Marpi,” he said.