URI nursing school plans to be revived?

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The University of Rhode Island's president wants the state to jumpstart a stalled project for a new nursing school in Providence through a public-private partnership.

URI President David Dooley said he hopes a private developer will build the facility in the Knowledge District, which would be shared with Rhode Island College. The two schools would lease about 125,000 square feet of space at an annual cost of $4.8 million to $5.2 million. Dooley wants state lawmakers to commit to the funds next session for a 20- to 25-year lease.

A plan to finance the facility through a bond issue fell apart earlier this year.

RIC President Nancy Carriuolo says she looks forward to continuing discussions about a collaboration with URI funded either by a public-private partnership or a ballot question.