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“Rhode Island is about to see the first tangible sign of what many envisioned for the former highway land,” begins a praising the April 22 groundbreaking of Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s $40 million dollar, 3-story academic building to house the university’s School of Engineering & Design and a new biology program.

“Ray of Hope” for RI Economy
The ProJo calls the new building “all part of a plan by Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales to build on its expertise in the culinary arts, culinary science, nutrition and health sciences,” noting that the multi-use facility will provide space for labs, classrooms, faculty offices and a food-service area.

“This activity … provides a ray of hope for a city and state that are looking to turn around the local economy and give college graduates and young professionals a reason to stay here.”

The ProJo also outlines other signs of growth in the zone between Downcity and the Jewelry District, including a joint public-private partnership to develop the long-derelict South Street Power Station.

Â鶹¹ÙÍø the Building
The 71,000-square-foot building will serve as home to Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s College of Engineering & Design and the College of Arts & Science’s new bachelor of science in biology.

The building will house:

• Alan Shawn Feinstein Technology & Design Center
• Biology labs that support physics, chemistry, organic chemistry and microbiology
• Faculty offices
• Outdoor courtyard designed to support collaborative learning

Scheduled to be completed in time for the start of Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s 2016-17 academic year, the new facility is also designed to be Leadership in Energy + Environmental Design (LEED)-certified.