The proposed Garapan public market

The proposed Garapan Public Market was developed with the purpose of providing our hard-working fishermen and farmers a permanent facility that would allow them to show-case and sell their products to the general public on a daily basis. The proposed facility will be an attraction to both locals and visitors, especially since it is designed and engineered to be attractive and structurally sound.

The proposed GPM was developed through careful studies and assessments that had been performed for a number of years and had gone through two previous administrations. During the Tenorio administration, then DLNR Secretary Dr. Jack Tenorio initiated a comprehensive study through the assistance of the Commonwealth Development Authority and the University of Hawaii (Economics Program) to determine whether it is feasible for Saipan to have a public market. And if so, what are the parameters that must be taken into account to ensure that such a market will in fact succeed and deliver its purpose. The study was completed and the result was very favorable.

Among the lists of recommendations the government needed to perform includes centralized location (parking space and proximity to our tourist sectors), building design, farmers participation, management operation. Based on the study, the government launched various actions to ensure that the proposed GPM is done right.

The following illustrates those actions:

– Location: Based on an earlier study, the Garapan Fishing Base has been determined to be the most ideal location for this type of proposal. Not only that it is centrally located, but that it is also an historical site in the development of the CNMI’s fishing industry. During the Babauta administration, DLNR requested and received from Marianas Public Lands Authority 5,000+ sq. meters of land. The GFB was and is still the best site for the GPM;

– Building Design: The architecture and engineering design has been completed and is ready to be built. The $135,000 design and engineering was done based on the topography and soil condition of the designated site. It also incorporates tropical blend and takes advantages of our tropical climate. It is engineered to withstand damaging winds and other natural elements;

– Farmers Participation: During the Tenorio administration (1999), DLNR organized local commercial farmers to sell their fresh produce on Saturdays at the former legislature building in Susupe to determine whether they’ll be interested in participating in the sales of locally grown products in the same location with the same competitive prices at the same time. The turnout was a huge success that DLNR had to continue the program much longer than anticipated. Eventually the farmers organized themselves and created the Sabalu Market Association that we still see every Saturday morning;

– Management Operation: During the Babauta administration, it was determined that the proposed GPM will be operated by non-profit organizations through cooperative agreement with DLNR. It was DLNR’s position that the farm produce section be managed by the Sabalu Market Association group and the fish product section by managed by the Saipan Fishermen Association. The Cooperative Agreement will provide directions and guidelines to ensure that public interests are protected and the facility is maintained with the best possible care and attention to ensure its cleanliness and healthy atmosphere.

FACTS:

a. The proposed Garapan Public Market has been designed and engineered and ready for construction;

b. The land needed to construct the building has been conveyed and designated for this proposal;

c. Invitation to Bid has been completed. It is ready to be awarded to the winning bidder;

d. Over $800,000,00 is still available from the 1 million dollars that was committed for this project during the previous administration.

Richard Seman
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