Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Real Estate Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears updates on housing P3 feasibility, posts hotel/‘third place’ RFP, and advances campus master‑plan work
Summary
Trustees were updated on accelerated work to secure student housing, a posted hotel/retail RFP and the status of a comprehensive campus master plan at the Feb. 13 meeting.
The University of Rhode Island’s ad hoc real estate committee reported progress on student housing, a newly posted Request for Proposals (RFP) for a hotel and related “third‑place” development, and ongoing master‑planning work at the trustees’ Feb. 13 meeting.
Student housing P3: Committee chair Mike Pastelli said the university is working with Gilbane on a public‑private partnership for student housing; Gilbane has completed a feasibility study and the university expects to resolve outstanding items in the next few weeks. Committee members emphasized the urgency of new housing independent of longer-term master-plan outcomes.
Hotel and third‑place RFP: University staff said the hotel and associated retail/meeting parcel solicitation was posted on the university’s new electronic bidding portal (Roadie Buy) and is live as of the meeting date. The RFP is structured with two parcels; respondents may bid on one or both parcels and project teams may partner or combine proposals. University staff asked trustees and community members to circulate the RFP to potential developers.
Comprehensive campus master plan: Sasaki, the consultant hired to develop URI’s long-term comprehensive plan, is in the analysis and discovery phase, staff said. The consultant team has gathered data and is working with university leaders on scenario development; staff said recommendations will be presented for discussion when they are ready, likely at a future board meeting.
Board discussion and next steps: Trustees were told procurement and feasibility work will proceed in parallel with master-plan development so that urgent campus needs — particularly housing — are advanced without delay. Staff noted that the RFP for the hotel and third-place parcels allows flexibility for single-entity or multi‑party proposals and that proposals will be evaluated against university development goals. No formal board vote on project selection or procurement occurred at the Feb. 13 meeting.
Speakers who reported these items included Mike Pastelli (ad hoc real estate committee chair) and Abby (staff member supporting procurement and campus planning). The university plans to report progress to the board as feasibility results and procurement responses are received.
