Saipan’s Development Plan Advisory Committee (DPAC) has commenced monitoring and reviewing the construction schedule of Imperial Pacific International’s Garapan integrated resort.
In an official announcement, the Office of the Governor said that DPAC has been tasked with ensuring the “timely implementation and successful development of the Saipan casino industry”, with its report – due in May 2018 – to determine if adjustments to IPI’s completion schedule are justifiable.
IPI last month flagged the possibility of requesting a further extension on its time frame for completion of Imperial Pacific Resort, with the 329-room hotel and resort facility due to be completed by 31 August 2018 under the revised Casino License Agreement (CLA) signed last August.
DPAC, which was created via the CLA, will now make a determination of the construction status and timeline for safe construction and completion of Imperial Pacific Resort and the operational start up for both the initial gaming facility and further proposed Saipan integrated resorts.
The committee has also announced a number of key appointments to help oversee the construction review via local consultancy firm Pacific Century Inc, led by Don Smith.
Pacific Century has hired Euro Asia Consultants, a leading casino and hospitality consulting firm, to assist in enhancing DPAC’s capacity in the development management of the proposed Saipan integrated resorts.
Euro Asia Consultants is headed by veteran industry professional and Inside Asian Gaming contributor Stephen Karoul, while Dean Macomber will assist.