Providence Journal photo / Bob Thayer
Three R.I. colleges working to develop the nearly 250,000 square foot property -- Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island College -- testified in favor of the Dynamo House project bills.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The General Assembly, in a rare Monday session, is expected to vote on two bills key to efforts to revive the long-dormant Dynamo House project in downtown Providence.The Senate will consider S1027, a joint resolution of the House and Senate, endorsing the state's efforts to negotiate a long-term lease within the Dynamo House project.
That proposal was approved by the Senate Finance Committee earlier Monday.
Representatives from the three colleges working to develop the nearly 250,000 square foot property -- Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island College -- testified in favor, as did members of the business community and the building trades.
They said the $206-million project represents a significant opportunity to make Providence a center for life sciences and improve the quality of medical education in the state.
"It makes so much sense, it's scary," said Michael Sabitoni, president of the the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council.
Meanwhile, the House will take up a Senate-approved bill to give redevelopment agencies in cities with more than 100,000 residents authority to construct new buildings for commercial or industrial uses.
The House Municipal Government Committee approved the proposal earlier Monday afternoon.
Only Providence, with a population of about 178,000, meets that description.
The city's redevelopment agency has sought that power to potentially build a parking garage on the Dynamo House property as well as others throughout the downtown.
The bills - H6295 and S992 -- have been introduced by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin and Rep. John Carnevale, both Providence Democrats.
The bills were all introduced in June and have sped through the Assembly as plans to redevelop the historic power station on the Providence River gained new momentum.