KINGSTON, R.I. — The University of Rhode Island (URI) and Gilbane have officially reached financial close on a landmark public-private partnership (P3) to build and operate a new generation of student housing at the Kingston Campus. The collaboration marks the beginning of URI’s comprehensive plan to modernize and expand on-campus housing options to meet rising student demand.
The project includes three new residence halls totaling 1,100 beds. Construction is scheduled to begin later this month, with the first hall expected to open as early as fall 2027. The initiative represents a major milestone for URI as it invests in student success, sustainability, and long-term campus development.
Through this agreement, Gilbane will develop two apartment-style residence halls on Flagg Road—on the northwest side of campus—and reconstruct the Graduate Village Apartments complex on Route 138 for graduate students. Together, these facilities will bring modern design, new amenities, and improved accessibility for students at every level.
“We’re seeing more and more students who want to live on campus—close to their classes, friends, and everything that makes our URI community so special,” said URI President Marc Parlange. “Expanding our on-campus housing will give students even more access to the resources and amenities that support their success. This project is an important step forward for our University and advances our strategic priorities to enhance student achievement and strengthen our inclusive, supportive campus culture. We deeply appreciate the leadership and partnership of Gov. McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, the General Assembly, and all our elected leaders in advancing the public-private collaboration that is making this project a reality.”
The new Flagg Road residence halls will provide 914 new undergraduate beds, while the redesigned Graduate Village complex will house 200 graduate students by fall 2028. Construction on the north Flagg Road residence hall will conclude in August 2027, followed by a second facility south of Flagg Road near Brookside Residence Hall in August 2028. The current Graduate Village will close in May 2026 and reopen in fall 2028 with fully modernized amenities.
Governor Dan McKee praised the project as another sign of Rhode Island’s strong higher education investments.
“We are thrilled to see this new on-campus housing effort at the University of Rhode Island moving forward, creating opportunities for future generations of students,” McKee said. “The momentum at the University of Rhode Island has never been stronger. My administration has made major investments in a new Bay Campus and upgraded athletic facilities, and URI was recently named the number one public university in New England by The Wall Street Journal for the second year in a row. I want to thank the University and all of the partners for their collaboration and commitment to moving Rhode Island forward.”
URI’s partnership with Gilbane arrives at a time when student enrollment is surging. The university received a record number of applications for the fall 2025 semester, and on-campus housing has become increasingly competitive. The new residence halls are a central component of Focus URI, the institution’s strategic plan for academic excellence and inclusive growth.
“This project is a great example of how public-private partnerships can help us meet the growing demand for on-campus living,” said Abby Benson, URI vice president for administration and finance. “By collaborating with experienced partners, we’re able to move forward efficiently and deliver high-quality residence halls that complement our campus and serve our students well. This approach allows us to expand housing options without diverting resources from other academic priorities, helping us create a vibrant, inclusive environment where students can thrive.”
The groundbreaking coincides with several transformative campus projects, including the renovation of the Fine Arts Center and the new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at the Narragansett Bay Campus. These projects collectively advance URI’s growing reputation as a top-tier research institution — recently reaffirmed by its R1 classification from the Carnegie Commission and its consecutive recognition as New England’s No. 1 public university by The Wall Street Journal.
“We’re building more than new facilities. The Office of Housing and Residential Life is strengthening the student experience and improving campus living,” said Thomas Cooley, URI associate vice president for student affairs and campus living. “Each of these projects adds to the momentum on campus and reflects how URI continues to invest in its community.”
Providence-based Gilbane brings decades of experience in higher education partnerships and large-scale residential projects. The company’s Public Private Partnership Group has completed or is developing over $4.4 billion in P3 projects nationwide.
“Founded and proudly based in Rhode Island, Gilbane is honored to partner with the University of Rhode Island to help advance the University’s growth objectives,” said Russell Broderick, executive vice president at Gilbane Development. “Together, we’re delivering a full spectrum of modern, on-campus student housing that serves as a model for how public-private partnerships can elevate the student experience and support long-term institutional success.”
“As design-builder, we are proud to bring this concept to life in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island, and CannonDesign,” added Michael Busam, Rhode Island business leader with Gilbane Building. “We look forward to beginning construction on this impactful project that will offer new spaces for learning, collaboration, and connection.”
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Designed by CannonDesign, the new housing complexes will combine sustainability, accessibility, and community well-being.
Features will include:
The Graduate Village will also feature studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, a revived community garden, and a modernized community center for social and fitness programs.
When completed, the three new projects will increase URI’s on-campus bed capacity by more than 2,000 since 2012 — representing a transformative investment in student life and campus infrastructure.
Founded in 1892, the University of Rhode Island serves more than 17,000 students and remains the state’s flagship public research institution. Through strategic partnerships like this one, URI continues to expand access, improve facilities, and strengthen Rhode Island’s role in higher education innovation and economic development.
Originally reported by Rhode Today.
