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CK roundhouse council sets 2009 target date
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Posted on Aug 04 2008
Representatives of local organizations have set the end of 2009 as the target date they hope to complete the restoration and revitalization of the area around the Chalan Kanoa roundhouse.
During a meeting Monday, members of the Leadership Roundhouse Courtyard Project discussed the design and funding for a proposed memorial center and monument that would pay homage to past community members.
“The Roundhouse, as everyone knows, has a significant history,” Council adviser William Torres said about the area considered the ancient capital of Saipan. “In essence, it defines us as a people.”
The memorial center would sit on 785 square meters, with an additional 942 square meters requested, in Chalan Kanoa, across from the U.S. Post Office.
“There is more than ample space for people to visit,” Torres said.
The Council is looking at adding names of elected and appointed community leaders to the memorial center. A partial list at Monday’s meeting had more than 200 names, and “was not even near completion,” Robert Hunter, executive director of the NMI Museum of History and Culture, said. It is unclear how names will be narrowed down, but the Council plans on eventually asking for community input.
Torres said he would like to see a finished product similar to the courtyard at American Memorial Park.
“It should be simple at this point and time,” he said. “The essential is to recognize those leaders of the past.”
Torres said the group would seek appropriated money, federal assistance and private donations to fund the project.
“It will be anything out there to make this project happen,” he added.
Steve Tilley, of the CNMI Zoning Office, said it would be difficult to estimate the cost of the structure without a set design.
“Is it a historic monument? Is it a gathering place?” “Will there be restrooms? Sidewalks? Those will all drive design,” he said.
Torres said the project might need to be done in phases.
“We need to dream big and start small,” he added.
All of the members agreed the area has become rundown and needs to be cleaned up first and foremost.
