Five Questions With: Kenneth Burke

Kenneth Burke recently was named assistant director of capital projects for the University of Rhode Island.
Kenneth Burke recently was named assistant director of capital projects for the University of Rhode Island.

Kenneth Burke recently was named assistant director of capital projects for the University of Rhode Island. He previously served as general manager of the Rhode Island Water Resources Board, a position he held since 2009. He responded recently to questions posed by Providence Business News.

PBN: You recently accepted a position as assistant director of capital projects at URI. What are the most significant projects now underway?
BURKE:
The Office of Capital Projects manages all projects as significant and important. Some of the larger projects include the new Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences, the renovations to Ranger Hall for the Harrington School of Communication and Media, renovations to Roosevelt Hall, a new 500-bed residence hall and, of course, the new engineering building.
PBN: The university’s engineering building is in design. What is the schedule and what will the facility include?

BURKE: The project is underway, led by Ballinger Architects, and the project is in the schematic design phase. The work includes the relocation of most of the College of Engineering from multiple buildings to interim locations, demolition of existing buildings and the construction of approximately 190,000 gross square feet of new space. Occupancy of the new engineering buildings is scheduled for the fall of 2019.

PBN: One of the aspects of your position is managing deferred maintenance. What are some of the examples of deferred maintenance on campus that are being addressed in the near term?

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BURKE: The Office of Capital Projects coordinates and delivers all major new construction, renovation and utility projects on all four university campuses (Kingston, Providence, Bay and Alton Jones campuses). When we take on a new renovation project we address deferred maintenance projects that range from interior finishes to building envelope repairs to mechanical systems.
PBN: What is the status of the dorms at URI? Are they fully built out, or are more planned?
BURKE:
The university continuously invests in its existing housing. With the addition of new student housing we have over 6,000 students living on the Kingston campus. We currently have a new 500-bed apartment complex for upper-class students along the White Horn Brook that is under design by Sasaki Architects.

PBN: What is the overall value of current construction activity at URI, and is 2016 shaping up to be among the more active years?

BURKE: The university recently completed several large projects including the new College of Pharmacy Building, at $78 million; the expansion of Butterfield Dining Hall, at $11 million; campuswide fire protection upgrades, at $45 million; a new campus substation, at $7 million; Ranger Hall renovation, at $5.4M; residence hall renovations, at $6 million; and the new Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences, scheduled to open this year, at $80 million. The total value of construction underway can vary significantly from year to year, and 2016 is a very busy year for us. We have more projects scheduled that include the Engineering Building, at $125 million, a number of deferred maintenance projects, a new Gateway Center, at $7.3 million, another $7 million in residence hall renovations and the new White Horn Brook Student Apartments, at $81.4 million.

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