Riverwalk planned for Talofofo

by Nick Delgado

Guam - Plans are in motion to revive the southern part of the island. The plan is not only to promote the culture and history of Guam, but to bring in revenue to our local community in an area not too many visitors frequent - God's Country.

A new attraction is unfolding down south. The proposal is a riverwalk that traces the Talofofo River Banks. It's a development with economic incentives according to Senator Frank Blas, Jr. "I put together legislation that would direct GEDA to work with the mayor or Talofofo, the land owners in and around the area of the Talofofo River as well as other interested entities to look into the possibility of creating and constructing a riverwalk," he said.

Bill 442 would establish the Talofofo Riverwalk Program Project, which has the end goal of not just promoting Southern Guam, but to stimulate revenue. Blas says the proposal includes vending spaces and rest areas for visitors as well as allows an opportunity to give back to the people of Talofofo by creating more jobs. "You've got an outfit that's out there right now that is a showcase for Chamorro culture, expand that a little more so that individuals can buy their fish and produce from the farmers that are in those areas, fresh fish and produce and then go to a place up the river to be able to cook it, eat it and entertain," he said.

Blas' bill would also establish a task force comprised of GEDA, Land Management, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, the mayor of Talofofo, a member from the Talofofo Municipal Planning Council and the Guam Visitors Bureau. It's a venture that hopes to bring long term investments for the territory, saying, "Aside from the history, the agriculture and aquaculture that most people would learn about in the Talofofo Bay area, officials say the proposal will bring in and revamp the area so that more tourist and revenue can eventually come into the island."

Bruce Kloppenburg, president of Kloppenburg Enterprise and managing partner for Jungle River Cruise, tells KUAM News that he is in favor of the measure, but wants to ensure the area is not too commercialized where it loses its current appeal. Blas says funding has also been identified for the project. "I've talked to officials from USDA on being able to conduct a study, that's what these bills are is so that GEDA along with interested parties for the river banks, conduct a feasibility study on how we can put this together," he said.

According to the measure, the study must be submitted to the governor and the legislature for review one year after the task force holds its first meeting. Blas says the study will determine what loans and grants GovGuam can get to make the Talofofo Riverwalk a reality.