Building on a long-standing commitment to supporting projects in Providence’s Jewelry District that contribute to the economic vitality of the city and state, Brown University has signed a letter of intent to lease laboratory space in a major public-private life sciences development project.
The 212,000-square-foot, seven-story building moving forward on former I-195 land will house a new public health lab for the State of Rhode Island, and laboratory space for academic and commercial life sciences entities. Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee announced on Tuesday, Oct. 4, that Ancora L&G has been selected as the developer following a competitive RFP process.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) State Health Laboratories will serve as an anchor tenant, with 80,000 square feet of space to accommodate biological and chemical testing for a variety of infectious disease, environmental and forensic testing services. To help attract additional tenants and encourage a thriving mix of public and private entities focused on health and medicine, Brown signed a letter of intent with Ancora to lease 20,000 square feet of laboratory space in the building for a period of 10 years.
Ancora L&G CEO Josh Parker noted that Brown’s plans to lease space in the Jewelry District building were an important factor in Ancora’s commitment to the project.
“Brown University’s letter of intent to lease space is a powerful statement of support for the project and for Rhode Island’s growing bioscience footprint,” Parker said. “Brown’s interest has been a key element of Ancora’s commitment to the RIDOH and commercial lab development in Providence. We are excited to collaborate with the University to further define its presence at the RIDOH State Health Laboratories building, foster its commercialization goals, and provide a dynamic environment for emerging and mature life sciences firms alike.”
The University has a substantial amount of academic activity relevant to the mission of RIDOH located near the new development, which will be located near the intersection of Clifford and Richmond streets, including education and research at the Warren Alpert Medical School, Laboratories for Molecular Medicine and School of Public Health. This summer, Brown began work toward creating an integrated life sciences building in the district, and simultaneously developed an expansive plan to significantly increase the impact of its research benefiting communities locally, nationally and globally.
Brown University’s letter of intent to lease space is a powerful statement of support for the project and for Rhode Island’s growing bioscience footprint. Brown’s interest has been a key element of Ancora’s commitment to the RIDOH and commercial lab development in Providence.
JOSH PARKERCEO, Ancora L&G
Brown President Christina H. Paxson said the University will continue to prioritize investments related to life sciences research and economic activity in the Jewelry District, especially when Brown’s participation can help to incentivize investments from new partners seeking a presence in Rhode Island.
“Often, the certainty that comes with tenancy from a Rhode Island anchor institution is an essential factor as private developers consider new investments in Providence,” Paxson said. “We’re pleased that Brown’s role in this project will help drive other investment, much in the way we did for South Street Landing and the Innovation Center at 225 Dyer. We can act as a catalyst for further development while we also strengthen our infrastructure to enable even more high-impact research in health, medicine and other fields that makes a positive difference in the lives of people in Rhode Island and well beyond.”
The public-private development partnership follows a condominium model with ownership of the State Health Laboratories unit conveyed to the State of Rhode Island upon completion, while Ancora L&G retains ownership of the private laboratory space — including the space Brown intends to lease. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline helped to secure $81.7 million in U.S. Centers for Disease Control funding for the state laboratory portion of the project.
Leaders said the new facility will not only enhance the state’s ability to manage a range of infectious diseases, but also make Rhode Island more attractive for new investments in the life sciences.
“Rhode Island has momentum — and this project is crucial to ensuring the momentum continues in the areas of public health and our economy,” McKee said in announcing the selection of Ancora L&G. “We’re grateful for all the partners who came together to ensure Rhode Island maximizes this significant economic development opportunity while advancing the state’s important public health goals.”
A public design review process will begin at an I-195 Redevelopment District Commission meeting on Oct. 19, where Ancora L&G will present its design. The meeting will also include opportunity for public comment and a presentation by the commission’s design consultant.
“This public-private partnership is exactly the catalyst needed to propel life science development in the district,” said Robert Davis, chairman of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission. “The 130,000 square feet of private lab space could not have been built except through this kind of partnership, and its presence will pave the way for more life science businesses to grow and energize Rhode Island’s economy.”
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