Rezoning sought for Guam hospital project site despite pending federal case

A "Notice to Rezone" sign is installed on a property in Mangilao on April 14, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor of Guam

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The administration’s plan to build a new Guam hospital in Mangilao has inched forward with a petition to rezone the target project site despite a pending federal lawsuit challenging the government's land acquisitions.

The rezoning application, filed with the Guam Land Use Commission, seeks to convert an agriculture-zoned property to “public facilities use.”

“This is more than just a technical step in a regulatory process,” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said. “This is the first official action that will ultimately lead to the construction of a new, modern and world-class hospital and medical complex—a facility that our people deserve and have long awaited.”

The rezoning application covers an area marked “Lot 5280” on Route 15, which the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority purchased for $3.5 million on behalf of the governor.

GHURA purchased the property from estate administrators Edward Camacho and Peter Manibusan through the broker firm Blue Water Reality. The Superior Court of Guam confirmed the sale on Sept. 25, 2024.

“The rezoning allows our administration to continue to move forward with smart planning and stronger infrastructure and bring improved essential services to the people,” the governor said.

She added that rezoning will pave the way for the Guam Waterworks Authority and the Guam Power Authority to start constructing a power substation, a water holding facility and new water wells.

“These upgrades are essential for the future hospital campus and the growing needs of the entire Mangilao community,” the governor said.

“Once rezoned, the infrastructure work will lay the foundation for what will become Guam’s first modern medical campus in decades, improving access to healthcare while also driving economic activity along this major thoroughfare, which is heavily used by both residents and the military,” she added.

Lot 5280 is a portion of the total land area where the administration plans to build the new medical complex. The governor also targets six adjacent lots, which GHURA seeks to condemn.

GHURA listed 169,795 sqm. of land for taking under eminent domain. The properties, estimated at $6.65 million combined, are owned by Hong Yi Inc., Dr. Joel Joseph and other unidentified owners.

In December, Attorney General Douglas Moylan asked the federal court to stop GHURA's condemnation of private properties, alleging that the agency’s “surreptitious” deal with the governor was riddled with legal anomalies.

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