Gov't preparing major homestead projects
The Office of Public Lands yesterday disclosed it is proceeding with its planned development projects for village and agricultural homestead on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
On Saipan, the Tanapag Heights Homestead project, located in As-Mahettok, is currently undergoing biological studies and subdivision design.
It is expected to yield over 300 village homestead lots. Studies and subdivision design in Marpi Point (Suicide Cliff Area) and Koblerville will start as soon as the contracts for services are signed.
Another proposed subdivision in I Maddok is being coordinated with the Army Corps of Engineers for development through the ACOE Planning Assistance to the States program.
The presence of unexploded ordnance is being investigated in the proposed Marpi Point and I Maddok subdivisions, which may delay the opening of the subdivisions.
On the other hand, the Koblerville expansion subdivision is expected to be opened by September of this year, depending on the findings of the biological studies. Approximately two hundred and thirty lots will be made available, but this number will actually depend on wildlife concerns.
Other planned villages homesteads on Saipan include small pockets of public lands located in Capitol Hill, I Denni, Kagman, Dandan and Chalan Laulau.
These public lands are estimated to make available an additional two hundred homestead lots. Land surveys are being conducted on the lots and development is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
On Tinian, the Marpo Heights Expansion Subdivision will be ready by the beginning of February for lottery to over a hundred qualified homestead applicants.
Also in the works for homestead development are a village homestead in West San Jose and approximately 40 additional agricultural homestead lots in Marpo Valley.
Scopes of works are now being finalized for these projects and announcement for proposals is possible by the end of February. Development of the two homestead sites is also expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Public Lands Board member Manuel Villagomez is enthusiastic about making these projects a reality this current year. He has also proposed reserving certain public lands in West San Jose Village for future Northern Marianas Housing Corporation turnkey subdivision.
This NMHC project and that of OPL homestead development project should at least take care of Tinian’s homestead and housing needs in the coming years.
The Office is planning to develop approximately 25 hectares of public land in Dugi, Rota, for a village homestead subdivision. An estimated 200 lots are expected to be developed in the proposed twenty-five hectares of public land by the end of the year.
On Rota, approximately 122 hectares have been designated by the Board of Public Lands for agricultural homesteads. The designations were strongly supported by the Rota Board member Pedro M. Atalig, and the staff of the Rota Office of Public Lands.
Development of the sites is expected to be completed also this year.
