Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch is declaring his strong opposition to proposed legislation that would turn over some of the land freed up by the relocation of Route 195 to Brown and Johnson & Wales Universities, by passing the public bidding process.

In a letter delivered to Rep. Steven M. Costantino, chairman of the House Finance committee, Lynch said that while the purpose of the transfers was laudable, "as Attorney General I cannot support a legislatively directed transfer of such valuable property."

Lynch said that "no non-profit institution or business should be granted exclusive and proprietary rights to the valuable parcels of land that will be made available" through the Route 195 relocation, saying it is against the best interst of the economic development of the state and city to have a no-bid process for the land in question.

The attorney general, who is a 1987 Brown graduate, said "both Brown and Johnson & Wales are vital and well-renowned members of the state's educational community but the public bidding process is paramount, and a fair and open process must take precedence over any legislatively directed transfer of such valuable property."

 Tags  Brown University Johnson & Wales

Comments

ES & D said:

I have to agree. The Colleges already own a good portion of the City of Providence. Why sould they be able to get land without a valid bid process.
I would think the GA knowns they must go out to bid to get the most money they can for the property.

Link | June 11, 2009 4:53 PM
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