Support R.I. bond referenda 5, 9, 10 and 13
Rhode Island’s 2004 general election in November will include 12 bond referenda questions, four of which, if passed, will fund major capital projects at URI and Rhode Island College.
“The passage of questions 5, 9, 10, and 13 will ensure that the University has the right facilities to continue moving us forward,” said URI President Robert L. Carothers. “They are vital to our efforts to attract students, further our contribution to economic development in the state, and continue our leadership in the marine sciences.”
Referendum 5 will authorize up to $50 million in bonds to renovate residence halls at URI and RIC. The URI share of the bonds—$20 million—will be used to finish the seven-year residence hall renovation project initiated in 1999. Barlow, Weldin, Bressler, Butterfield, Adams and Browning halls have already been renovated, and work is underway on updates to Heathman, Fayerweather and Gorham halls. Funds from this referendum will be used to renovate the final four residence halls in the project—Hutchinson, Peck, Merrow and Tucker.
Referendum 9 will provide $14 million to construct an Ocean Exploration and Research Center and rehabilitate the Pell Marine Science Library on the Narragansett Bay Campus. The new facility will include Dr. Robert Ballard’s Inner Space Center—which will house a satellite link connecting scientists at sea with researchers and educational institutions
elsewhere—new office and laboratory space, a central computing facility, administrative offices, and a new campus gathering place where faculty, staff and students can meet and exchange ideas and foster interdisciplinary research.
Approval of referendum 10 will authorize $6.7 million to construct an athletic performance center at the Kingston campus and renovate facilities at Meade Stadium and Keaney Gymnasium. The 11,000-square-foot Athletic Performance Center will contain a state-of-the-art strength training facility, aerobic fitness area, examination areas, athletic training offices, and athletic advising center to support all men and women Division I athletes. Included in this project will be replacement of the western stands and refurbishment of the eastern stands in Meade Stadium, and renovations to the second floor of Keaney Gym.
Referendum 13 will provide $50 million for the construction of the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, a major center of education and research supported by Governor Donald Carcieri for its anticipated role in generating economic development in the biotechnology industry. The 165,500-square-foot facility will address the needs of the University’s growing environmental biotechnology and biological sciences communities and will provide new laboratory facilities and office space to serve these programs.
By Todd McLeish
