By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Johnson & Wales University Thursday opened its new, $42 million science center, the first building constructed on land reclaimed after Interstate 195 was re-routed.
The John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation was dedicated to school’s chancellor, a 42-year veteran of the university.
“I’ve been with the university, I’ve had the privilege and I love this university dearly for over four decades, and this is about a 15-year project in the making,” said Bowen. “I’m very, very proud of the way that we were able to be the first building built on the former land that once was Interstate 195.”
With an assist from Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, a robotic arm cut a ceremonial ribbon to open the building.
“The highest and best use of this 195 land is for this; ways to create high wage, high skill jobs,” Governor Raimondo told an invited crowd of more than 100 people.
Johnson & Wales purchased 1.71 acres for $3.9 million in 2012, and broke ground for the center in 2015.
The three-story LEED-certified building houses Johnson and Wales’ expanded School of engineering & Design and College of Arts & Sciences’ biology program.
