 |
|
10/3/2024
|
Legislators join URI to celebrate progress of construction at Narragansett Bay Campus
|
 NARRAGANSETT – Six members of the General Assembly, including Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, helped the University of Rhode Island celebrate the progress of the sweeping transformation of the Narragansett Bay Campus.
The Bay Campus is in the middle of a multi-year modernization of facilities and infrastructure – work that will expand URI’s global excellence in ocean science and leadership in the Blue Economy. Overlooking beautiful Narragansett Bay, the campus is home to the URI Graduate School of Oceanography – a global leader in ocean research, exploration and education – along with the Department of Ocean Engineering and programs from several other URI colleges.
The revitalization of the campus has been supported by the Rhode Island voters, who have approved two bond referenda totaling $145 million, as approved and placed on the ballot by the General Assembly.
"As Rhode Island moves to a blue and green economy, URI and its modernized Bay Campus will be at the forefront of our efforts," said Speaker Shekarchi. "We are so fortunate to have world-class talent right here in the Ocean State, including Dr. Robert Ballard, who is also a URI alum, and Dean Paula Bontempi, another URI alum who leads the Graduate School of Oceanography. Now, the facilities will be upgraded so that URI's incredible researches and students will have the infrastructure to match their capabilities."
Joining Speaker Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) were Representatives Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narrragansett) and Teresa A. Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narrragansett) and Senators V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown), Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narrragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) and Dawn Euer (D-Newport, Jamestown).
Also featured were U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed (recorded remarks), and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, as well as R.I. Secretary of Commerce Elizabeth Tanner, URI President Marc Parlange, renowned oceanographer Robert Ballard, URI Board of Trustees Vice Chair Armand Sabitoni, Dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography Paula Bontempi, and Dean of the College of Engineering Anthony Marchese.
As part of the Bay Campus initiative, the University has already unveiled a modern pier that will serve as the homeport for URI’s new regional class research vessel, Narragansett Dawn. The state-of-the-art, $125 million ship – one of only three such vessels in the nation – will replace the University’s nearly 50-year-old research vessel, Endeavor, when it arrives in 2027.
The first phase of building improvements includes a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory. When completed, the 32,000-square-foot Ocean Robotics Lab will bolster the design and development of technology-driven solutions and spur collaboration and innovation within URI, among University partners, and through public-private ventures.
Equipment and robotics pioneered in the lab will work hand-in-glove with Narragansett Dawn and its advanced overboard-handling systems for launch and recovery of scientific equipment at sea. The lab, which will include a two-story, high-bay staging area with freshwater test tank and 10-ton bridge crane, is scheduled to be completed in May 2026.
The first phase of the investment in the Bay Campus started last spring with a new parking facility that included start-of-the-art electric vehicle charging stations and utility work needed to sustain future phases. The parking lot work was needed to make room for the Ocean Robotics Lab project that immediately followed, starting in February 2024.
Two additional buildings for the GSO and College of Engineering, both of which are in the design phase, will provide world-class facilities for research and education in ocean science and engineering.
The Ocean Frontiers Building will be the new home for researchers at the GSO, replacing the 55-year-old Horn Laboratory with modern environmentally controlled labs to support advanced scientific instruments.
The Ocean Engineering Facility will house dedicated office, laboratory, and classroom space for the Department of Ocean Engineering, along with a 100-meter-long wave/tow tank, 30x30x30 foot acoustics tank, and additional flumes for conducting coastal research
For more information, contact:
Emily Martineau, Deputy Director of Communications for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 323
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2466
|
|