Spring Break
Construction starts on biotech center
Kathleen McKiernan
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: News
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"It will create an environment for cutting-edge science that will change the lives of Rhode Islanders and the rest of the country," Rhodes said.
The new building, Rhodes said, will have two wings. The teaching wing will feature a 300-seat auditorium, a 100-seat auditorium, 14 student labs and a College of Student Affairs office. The research wing will have an aquarium, a bio safety lab, and labs for 30 faculty members, plus equipment for DNA sequencing.
"Every piece of lab equipment will be state-of-the-art, new, cutting edge," Rhodes said. Along with the lab equipment, Rhodes said the supporting equipment, such as the refrigerators, incubators, and benches will be new.
"When we open the doors, people will say there is nothing like this on the URI campus," said Rhodes.
He added, "The moment they'll [students] walk through the doors, they'll be blown away. It is a crossroads of science, an absolute hub of student activity. There's nothing better than moving into a new facility dedicated to student learning."
"There will be more physical space. It's a great addition to the north district of the campus," said Robert Weygand, vice president for administration at URI.
The $60-million construction of the 140,000 square foot biotechnology building began last April and is expected to finish by January 2009. Architects Payette Associates of Boston designed the building, which is being built by Gilbane Building Co.
"It's been four years in the making," Weygand said.
"It's an absolute showpiece that we'll bring in on-budget," Rhodes said.
According to Weygand, the new building had been in the planning stages since 2003 and Rhode Island voters approved the $50-million bond financing it in November 2004. The university plans to augment that price by $10 million through private fundraising.
So far, URI has received $2 million in grants to construct the building, including a $1-million donation from Amgen Inc. a drug manufacturing company with a facility in West Greenwich.
The Center of Biotechnology and Life Sciences will replace the Biological and Life Sciences building. BISC will remain open until the new center is built.
"The larger reason was to really begin to build an economic cog in the state of Rhode Island," said Rhodes. "Cell biologists, microbiologists, and marine biologists will be working on the issues of today," including studying vaccines and strategies to prevent Lyme disease, Rhodes said.
"It will improve our reputation in the community of biotechnology and life sciences," Weygand said.
"I'm really excited for the new building," said Jocelyne Dolce, a doctorate student in her fifth year studying biological sciences. "It's going to provide great opportunities in research and teaching for faculty and students."
