Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands — The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) officially broke ground yesterday (Sept. 3) on the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project, marking a major step toward enhancing three of Saipan’s most iconic destinations: Bird Island Lookout, Suicide Cliff, and Last Command Post.
Governor David M. Apatang led government officials, private sector representatives, and community members in a groundbreaking ceremony at Bird Island Lookout for the $1,095,000 project scheduled for completion in Summer 2027. The project is funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
“We all know these sites. We’re always proud to show them off to visiting family and friends, and improving them strengthens the foundation of our Marianas Far From Ordinary global brand,” said MVA Chairman Warren Villagomez. “Today’s groundbreaking aims to improve the visitor experience, and we hope it will inspire more developments that reflect the beauty and pride of our islands.”
Project Improvements
The upgrades will deliver safety, accessibility, and aesthetic enhancements across all three sites. Bird Island Lookout will have a complete site redesign featuring new ADA/code‑compliant stairs, walkways, viewing platforms, guardrails, and an improved parking area. Last Command Post will have construction of a new ADA‑compliant restroom, complete with septic tank and leaching field, addressing a long‑standing need for visitor amenities. Suicide Cliff Lookout will see installation of new walkways, viewing platforms, a ramp, guardrails, and an upgraded parking area to improve safety and accessibility.
MVA Acting Managing Director Judy C. Torres highlighted the significance of the project in advancing MVA’s strategic goals.
“The Marianas already has the foundation of Far From Ordinary — our nature, culture, history, and more,” said Torres. “These improvements help us deliver on that promise to our visitors. Let us continue working together to create experiences that leave lasting memories.”
The project is led by the MVA Product Development Division and reflects strong interagency coordination, including support from the grant co-recipient Office of Planning & Development, Department of Public Lands, Department of Public Works, Department of Lands & Natural Resources, BECQ, and DCRM, as well as construction partner PKM Construction and architectural partner TRL Architecture.
“Far From Ordinary becomes real when we work together toward a common goal — whether recovering from a super typhoon or improving the places that define our islands,” Villagomez added.
With the Far From Ordinary campaign earning Global Travel Brand of the Year 2026 in South Korea this week, the Marpi improvements reinforce MVA’s call for a unified focus by the public and private sectors to further develop world‑class visitor products and experiences supported by data‑driven planning and community partnership.
Marianas Visitors Authority Acting Managing Director Judy Torres speaks on Sept. 3, 2026, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project in Saipan. Seated in front from right are PKM Construction GM Stacy Wang, Governor David M. Apatang, Japan Consul Yoshiyuki Tomi, and MVA Board Chairman Warren Villagomez.
Governor David M. Apatang speaks on Sept. 3, 2026, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project in Saipan which will feature improvements to Bird Island Lookout, Last Command Post, and Suicide Cliff when completed next summer.
Governor David M. Apatang, center, leads ceremonial groundbreaking for the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project in Saipan which will feature improvements to Bird Island Lookout, Last Command Post, and Suicide Cliff when completed next summer.
The Marianas Visitors Authority breaks ground on Sept. 3, 2026, on the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project in Saipan which will feature improvements to Bird Island Lookout when completed next summer.
The Marianas Visitors Authority broke ground on Sept. 3, 2026, on the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project in Saipan which will include an ADA-compliant restroom at Last Command Post when completed next summer.
The Marianas Visitors Authority broke ground on Sept. 3, 2026, on the Marpi Tourist Sites Improvement Project in Saipan which will feature improvements to Suicide Cliff when completed next summer.