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WPRO News and the Associated Press
KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) – University of Rhode Island officials are considering a 100-room hotel with a private developer that also would provide college apartments and commercial and meeting spaces on the Kingston campus.
The Providence Journal reports that J. Vernon Wyman, assistant vice president for business services, said unidentified private parties are interested in learning more about a hotel.
The project would be privately owned and managed. The university would provide the land but no money for construction. URI would probably rent space for conferences and events.
Other than a few bed and breakfasts, visitors have few places to stay.
Wyman said the price could be about $57 million, but that could change.
School officials expect to solicit requests for proposals before the end of the fiscal year that ends next June 30.
