Paseo to be paved this month

The Paseo de Marianas, which has been undergoing renovation work for over a year now, will finally be paved this month, with renewed hope that this will revitalize what was once the CNMI’s tourist district.

In a statement from Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Gloria Cavanagh, she disclosed that the CNMI government expects the Paseo de Marianas to be paved in the next few weeks, after over a year of construction work.

“The government is planning to pave the Paseo de Marianas by mid-December. This also includes a parking lot on Beach Road. We are hoping this will also give us a great experience for our visitors who pay a high price to come and visit our islands,” she said.

While speaking on the exciting news that the revitalization of the Garapan square is becoming more and more a reality, she also stated that the government isn’t the only one responsible for the CNMI’s tourism industry.

“We can be better than this. Tourism is everybody’s business. I’m calling every government agency, business, nonprofit, village community, and every individual to contribute,” she said.

Cavanagh said that properties can be improved, hotels can upgrade their facilities, more signs can be posted, and anti-littering laws can and should be heavily enforced as all these contribute to island beautification.

“Homeowners need to address their properties, hotels need to invest and upgrade their property, but that’s not all. The Anti-Littering Act needs to be enforced strongly and regularly. We would love to see regular publications of the number of citations issued and the revenue generated. Visitors are [also] asking for clearer signage for their safety. We can be better,” she said.

The Office of Planning and Development under the Office of the Governor and the Garapan Revitalization Task Force is spearheading the Garapan Revitalization project, using an $8-million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant that aims to revive the CNMI’s tourist district.

Phase I of the revitalization project is expected to be completed in April 2023. Phase I includes upgrading the Paseo de Marianas, Plumeria Road, Micro Beach Road, Ginger Avenue, Coconut Street, Coffee Tree Mall, Cpl. Derence Jack Road, and Royal Palm Avenue.

Phase II, which was supposed to occur between April and September, will cover Beach Road, between Garapan Street and Cpl. Derence Jack Road; Beach Road east side, between Cpl. Derence Jack Road and Micro Beach Road; the rest of Coconut Street, Date Street, a portion of Royal Palm Avenue between Coconut Street and Paseo de Marianas and Coconut Street.

Phase III, which was set for September 2023 to January 2024, will cover the west side of Beach Road, the rest of Palm Street, the south side of Micro Beach Road, and the rest of Coral Tree Avenue.

Phase IV was expected to occur between January 2024 and May 2024, and will cover the stretch of Royal Palm Avenue between Paseo de Marianas and Micro Beach Road, the portion of Coffee Tree Mall between Paseo de Marianas and Micro Beach Road, the portion of Ginger Avenue between Paseo de Marianas and Micro Beach Road, and the portion of Plumeria Avenue between Cpl. Derence Jack Road and the rest of Coconut St.