Construction workers perform interior and exterior renovation work at the URI Fine Arts Center. A formal ribbon cutting celebrating the center’s renovations is scheduled for this fall. (URI Photos/James Bessette)

KINGSTON, R.I. – Aug. 12, 2026 – Close to 40 construction projects across the University of Rhode Island campuses, including the new outdoor track and field complex situated along West Alumni Avenue and renovations to URI’s Fine Arts Center, will be completed in time for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, according to the University’s Facilities Group, which oversees campus construction and renovation efforts.

The foundation for the new east grandstand and press box is being built at Meade Stadium on the Kingston Campus, as well as newly cemented sidewalks near the west stands. Renovations to the home of URI’s football and women’s lacrosse programs are expected to be finished by fall 2027.

“Summer is a busy time for the Facilities Group as it works to implement a number of campus revitalization projects before we welcome students back for the fall semester,” said Abby Benson, vice president for administration and finance. “The Capital Program Design and Delivery Team, under James Libby’s leadership, is transforming the way we approach major capital projects and bring stakeholders together across campus to increase transparency and improve project performance. And the Facilities Operations Group, under the leadership of Dave Palazzetti, interim associate vice president for facilities, is managing a significant number of projects—often behind the scenes—that play a key role in ensuring a safe and engaging environment for our entire community.”

Construction on two new residence halls along Flagg Road as well as renovations to URI’s Meade Stadium are also underway. The work is part of the University’s comprehensive campus plan, a bold blueprint to enhance URI’s facilities and the overall campus experience over the next two decades.

Construction on two new residence halls along Flagg Road on the URI Kingston Campus has begun.

“The University is currently experiencing a transformative era of growth, fueled by visionary leadership and a motivated student body. Our team is proud to be a part of this momentum across the University, through the creation of innovative academic facilities, world-class research buildings, modernized student housing, and state-of-the-art athletic venues,” said Libby, the University’s assistant vice president of capital program design and delivery. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the URI community as we build the future environment for the next generation of leaders.”

Kenneth Burke, associate director of capital program design and delivery, said the renovations to the 58-year-old Fine Arts Center at 105 Upper College Road are nearing completion and construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the structure. Funded through state capital and University funds as well as a 2021 voter-approved bond issue, the $99 million Fine Arts Center renovation work includes a new 71,000-square-foot, three-story academic building that features a new theater lobby and art gallery on the first floor, as well as areas for digital art and media, recording studios, and modern classrooms. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the renovated Fine Arts Center will be held on Sept. 14.

Digging along

URI’s new outdoor track and field is nearing completion and soon will be ready for intercollegiate competition. (URI Photo/Ashton Robertson)

Surfacing to the track and javelin runway, and groundwork on the throwing field, for the new outdoor track and field complex—part of an $83 million on-campus athletic facilities overhaul—is nearing completion after breaking ground in October. The nine-lane track, set to host URI’s championship-winning track and field programs, includes multiple runways for various jumping events; a separate throwing facility for hammer, javelin, shot put and discus; a new digital display scoreboard; and a new grandstand with accessible lift to a new press box.

A concrete foundation is being laid for the new Meade Stadium east grandstand and press box—the original grandstand was demolished in the spring—and plans are in place to move overhead electrical lines along West Alumni Avenue adjacent to Meade Stadium underground, allowing more room for the new grandstand. 

Once the $42 million renovations are completed by fall 2027, Meade Stadium—home to URI’s football and women’s lacrosse programs—will increase its capacity with new bleacher and seat-back seating, a new press box with elevator access, space for food trucks and a new plaza entrance. URI football will play its 2026 home schedule at the 10,500-seat Centreville Bank Stadium, home of Rhode Island FC of the United Soccer League, in Pawtucket, starting Sept. 12 while Meade Stadium renovations continue.

URI broke ground on the housing project, a public-private partnership with Providence-based real estate and construction company Gilbane, in January. The public-private partnership is the first of its kind for a public institution in Rhode Island. 

Along with building two new Flagg Road residence halls—one scheduled to open in the fall of 2027—the project also includes reconstructing the Graduate Village Apartments complex for graduate students on Route 138. Once completed, the three new residence facilities will add more than 1,100 beds to the Kingston Campus by fall 2028.

Modular sections of the residence hall buildings are being built in Pennsylvania and are being transported to the Kingston Campus for final construction.

Hard at work

At the Narragansett Bay Campus, construction is complete on the new Ocean Robotics Laboratory and is now occupied by researchers. A ribbon cutting was held in late June celebrating the opening of the 32,000-square-foot facility, which will bolster the design and development of technology-driven solutions and spur collaboration and innovation within URI, among University partners, and through public-private ventures.

As part of the next phase of investments at the Bay Campus, the Sheets Building has been demolished, making way for a new ocean engineering building—which will include a large wave tank—set to be built. Construction is also commencing on the new Ocean Frontiers Building to replace Horn Laboratory with modern labs for researchers.

Farm House Road will be closed through the month of September as work installing underground steam pipelines continues on the Kingston Campus.

Also on the Kingston Campus, a new video display, made for on-campus events, has been installed inside the Rams Den dining hall in the Memorial Union, and a new roof is being installed at the union. Renovations to the Hope Commons dining hall, including upgrades to service stations, a new roof and new flooring, are nearly finished and set to be ready before the upcoming academic year.

Other campuswide construction projects set to finish this summer are:

• Roof improvements at the Ryan Center.
• Replacing the roof systems over the Tootell Aquatic Center building.
• Replacing the roof and flashing on Tyler Hall.
• Replacing HVAC systems at both White Hall and the URI Coastal Institute.
• Renovating Roosevelt Hall’s elevator system.
• Repairing interior structural concrete and steel to the Steam Plant.
• Installing wireless fire alarms across the Kingston and Narragansett Bay campuses.
• Sidewalk and accessibility improvements in heavily trafficked areas.