Imperial Pacific All Set To Win Lease For Saipan Public Lands

The Department of Public Lands (DPL) in the island of Saipan which is part of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Island (CNMI) has issued a notice stating that it will be awarding the lease of public lands in Marpi to Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC. The coveted lands include the Mariana Resort and Spa which Japanese firm Kan Pacific Saipan has operated for a number of years.

Hong Kong-based Imperial Pacific is the parent company of Best Sunshine International Ltd, the company that operates the highly successful temporary casino Best Sunshine Live at the T Galleria.

The Department of Public Lands (DPL) had issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in October 2015 for the allotting the land on a lease basis. There were initial rumors of disputes and disagreements between the DPL and Kan Pacific as the Japanese company felt that the DPL was violating the agreement it had with the company via the conditions mentioned in its RPF. However both parties were able to sort out the disputes and reach a mutual agreement that permitted DPL to lease the land without any legal complications.

The lease will include vast areas of land that are used for mini golf courses, racecar tracks, and also include the hotel premises along with its cottages, villas, as well as other sports facilities. Vacant lots are also included in the lease area which measures around 1.61 million square meters based on the information provided in the RFP.

Imperial Pacific has not provided a clear cut plan as to what they intend to do with the property but based on earlier discussion in 2015, the company mentioned that they would be look to construct the world’s largest water park and build around 20 hotels in addition to a large shopping complex.

DPL secretary Marianne Teregeyo said that the intent to award was issued to Imperial Pacific since it was the only company to have sent a proposal despite DPL’s efforts to attract other off-island developers. Teregeyo stated that there were still some terms to be finalized which would be done in the next two weeks.

Imperial Pacific will be taking over operations from Kan Pacific and has said that it absorb the existing employees from the Marianas Resort. Kan Pacific had been operating the resort for the past 37 years.

In a statement, Gloria Cavangh Marianas Resort general manager said

Although we are saddened that we will not continue for another 38 years, we wish the best of luck and much success to IPI with their business proposal. IPI has expressed their willingness to absorb our valued employees. I hope for a smooth transition of that. We are hopeful that this would benefit the whole of the CNMI.

Cavangh added that Kan Pacific would not be leaving the island but will be branching out into new businesses on the island.