Tinian pushes ILS project for its airport

International flights to Tinian are becoming imminent as multi-million-dollar casino investments line up on the island, prompting the municipal government to push for an expedited implementation of the instrument landing system at the Tinian airport to prepare the facility for the flights.

Ike Quichocho, senior advisor to Tinian Mayor Jose San Nicolas, emphasized that time is of the essence in implementing the project, saying that casino investors expect international flights to Tinian before they open their ventures for business.

Besides Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, four other investors want to put up casino establishments on the island, including Bridge Investment Group, which is embarking on a $300-million casino hotel project; Marianas Resort Development Co. Inc., which plans to build a new $170-million casino and golf course project; and Baltimore-based Cordish Company, which will invest a minimum of $200 million for a casino and golf course project.

A fifth company, the name of which has yet to be publicly disclosed, has also expressed interest in investing in a casino on Tinian.

The CPA board on Thursday approved the solicitation of bid proposal for the ILS project’s design, construction and equipment cost, but not without rebuttal by the Tinian mayor’s representatives on the project cost estimate provided by CPA consultant Carlos Salas.

Dr. Thomas D. Arkle Jr., the Tinian mayor’s special consultant for resource development, said installation of the ILS at the Tinian airport will cost between $500,000 to $750,000, much lower than Salas’ figure of $3.5 million to $4 million. Both Arkle and Salas claimed that their respective estimates came from the Federal Aviation Administration.

CPA board treasurer Benigno T. Fejeran has already moved for the approval of the Request for Proposal and was seconded by board member Serafin M. Dela Cruz when Arkle stood up for comment.

Arkle said the FAA district administrator in Los Angeles denied Salas’ project cost estimate. He said a “category 1” ILS facility will be suitable for the Tinian airport, saying that higher category facilities are only needed for bigger, busier airports.

Arkle also assailed the CPA, saying that the project has been sitting on its desk for the past six years. He said the CPA only acted on the project when the Tinian Mayor’s Office began to push for its implementation some weeks ago.

Salas used to be the CPA’s executive director, becoming the agency’s consultant this year following his retirement from the CNMI government in December 2005. He maintained that the cost estimate he provided also came from the FAA and said that he could share his communication with the agency with the Tinian Mayor’s Office.

Salas also said the Tinian municipality’s estimate only covers the installation of the ILS facility, excluding civil engineering work on the leveling of certain areas at the Tinian airport.

Fejeran moved for the approval of the RFP for the project, which the board accepted, calling off debates on cost estimates so that actual costs could be ascertained. “Nobody knows how much the cost is right now.”

Arkle said funding has been identified for the ILS project based on Tinian’s cost estimate. CPA board members and officials assured they will work with the Tinian municipality in implementing the project.