One floor of offices not related to biotechnology might be an improper use of bond money for the building, some lawmakers say.

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 25, 2006

BY JENNIFER D. JORDAN
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- Members of the powerful House Finance Committee are upset about plans for the $50-million biotechnology building at the University of Rhode Island and have called an unusual summer hearing for 2 p.m. today to discuss the project.

Rep. Peter L. Lewiss, D-Westerly, and Rep. Eileen S. Naughton, D-Warwick, last month reviewed plans for the five-story building, approved by voters in the bond issue in 2004 and scheduled for groundbreaking this fall. The two have concerns about how much space will be dedicated to administrative offices and whether that would constitute an improper use of the bond money, said House spokesman Larry Berman.

"When they saw the plans, they were not happy that the whole top floor was dedicated to administrative offices for deans not related to biotech, and they have questions about that," Berman said.

URI President Robert L. Carothers and Jeffrey R. Seeman, dean of the College of Environment and Life Sciences, which encompasses biotechnology, are expected to testify at the hearing, which will be held in Room 35.

University officials dispute the lawmakers' claim that office space will not be used for biotechnology, said Linda Acciardo, spokeswoman for URI. In addition, only half of one of the floors -- not the top floor -- and a few other spaces throughout the building will be dedicated to administrative functions, Acciardo said.

"About 10 percent of 140,000 square feet will be dedicated to functions relating to biotechnology, including grant writing directly related to biotech, student and faculty research offices, Dean Seeman's office, and the rest is teaching and research labs," Acciardo said. "The administrative offices have always been part of this plan, and are inherent in the design of any of the major buildings on campus, including Independence Hall and Ballentine Hall."

jjordan@projo.com / (401) 277-7254