Governor McKee, 195 District Mark Major Milestone with New Life Sciences Building
Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Completion of 150 Richmond
PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee was joined today by representatives of the 195 District and numerous dignitaries to mark the completion of the 150 Richmond building with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. The 212,000-square-foot life sciences development is anchored by the new Rhode Island Department of Health State Laboratories. The seven-story building was developed by Legal & General, designed by HOK, and constructed by Dimeo Construction. The building is the eighth building to be completed in the 195 District.
Attendees included U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Representative Gabe Amo, RI House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, and RI State Senate President Valarie Lawson.
Also included in the speaking program were Marc Crisafulli, Chairman of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission; Stefan Pryor, Secretary of Commerce; Dr. Glen Gallagher, State Health Lab Director; Mark Turco, President & CEO of RI Life Science Hub; and Caroline Skuncik, Executive Director of the 195 District.
“150 Richmond is our latest addition to a thriving 195 District that has put Rhode Island on the map for the life sciences industry,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Not only do the new State Health Laboratories provide the ideal environment for our researchers at the Rhode Island Department of Health, but the life science incubator and available business spaces in the building set the stage for exciting public-private collaborations in the future.”
“Growing the life sciences sector is one of the most important opportunities for Rhode Island’s economic future,” said Marc Crisafulli. “150 Richmond adds more than just square footage—it adds momentum. It adds jobs. It adds vitality. And it continues to fill in the fabric of the 195 District, which is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic places to live, work, and innovate in New England.”
Serving as an anchor tenant, the State Health Laboratories provides a larger, more modern, and technologically advanced workspace than the former lab building. This updated space will provide the State Health Laboratories with the flexibility needed to quickly respond to emerging threats and apply cutting-edge new technologies, such as the expanding field of genome sequencing. From testing for infectious diseases to working with law enforcement, and monitoring the safety of our air, food, water, and beaches, the Rhode Island Department of Health State Health Laboratories provides critical services to keep Rhode Islanders healthy and safe.
Like the former location, the new building also includes a highly secure Biosafety Level 2 and 3 facility equipped to safely perform environmental, forensic, chemical, and biological testing. Construction of the State Health Laboratories at 150 Richmond Street was financed by an $81.7 million Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to the state health laboratories, the building will house Ocean State Labs, Rhode Island’s first life science incubator. Powered by Portal Innovations, with financial support from the RI Life Science Hub, the 195 District, and Brown University, Ocean State Labs recently announced the first five start-up companies that will be housed in the incubator when it opens in early 2026.
In addition to the State Health Laboratories and the life science incubator, 150 Richmond will have three floors of space available for private companies.
150 Richmond is a public-private partnership. Several state partners collaborated to bring the project to fruition, including the 195 District, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Rhode Island Department of Administration, Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and Rhode Island Department of Health.
What They Are Saying
“At a time when the very idea of public health faces pushback from the U.S. Secretary of Health, this new, state-of-the-art public health lab sends a signal that Rhode Island cares about bringing together the resources and academic research talent needed to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Jack Reed, who worked with his colleagues in the state’s congressional delegation to deliver a $81.7 million federal grant to help build the new facility. “I was proud to deliver federal funding to support this important project, upgrade our public health infrastructure, and make forward-looking investments in Rhode Island’s economy.”
“As the Trump administration degrades federal disease protections, I am very glad the delegation helped secure federal funding to modernize the Ocean State’s health care infrastructure,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “This federal investment will help keep Rhode Islanders safe from infectious diseases and serve as a landmark addition to the 195 District’s growing life science cluster.”
“The new life sciences building at 150 Richmond, which includes the new Rhode Island State Health Laboratory (RISHL), is a strategic investment in Rhode Island’s public health and bioscience sector,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Built with federal and state funds, this facility will promote scientific innovation, bolster our response to emerging public health threats, and keep Rhode Islanders healthy and safe.”
“Rhode Island sorely needed a new state health lab, and I am delighted that we were able to leverage our investment to bolster our burgeoning life sciences industry,” said Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “By bringing together world-class public health infrastructure, cutting-edge research space, and private innovation, we are creating a powerful engine for economic growth, scientific discovery, and community wellbeing.”
“This project is truly transformative for the Innovation District, the City of Providence, and the entire State of Rhode Island,” said Senate President Valarie Lawson. “Over many months, we have watched with great excitement as 150 Richmond has risen up to join the city’s skyline. This incredible facility is a demonstration of what we can achieve through a shared vision and a spirit of collaboration.”
“The staff at the State Health Laboratories work every day to keep Rhode Islanders and their communities healthy and safe,” said Dr. Jerry Larkin, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “This much-needed modern facility will help us better serve Rhode Islanders, perform cutting-edge laboratory science, and quickly respond to emergencies and other public health events. We are incredibly grateful to the CDC, our Congressional Delegation, and all our laboratory staff for helping turn our vision for state-of-the-art labs into a reality and solidify Rhode Island’s position as a leader in public health and scientific innovation.”
“The opening of 150 Richmond Street represents an important step forward for Rhode Island’s life sciences sector,” said Secretary Pryor. “By co-locating our state health laboratory with a private sector lab and incubation space, we are leveraging a key state asset in order to drive innovation and economic activity. This space exemplifies how strategic investment and partnership can position Rhode Island to compete nationally in the life sciences space.”
“This facility is more than just a building—it’s a bridge between public health and innovation,” said Dr. Turco. “By uniting the Rhode Island Department of Health with a first-of-its-kind life sciences incubator, we’re creating a space where discovery becomes impact. It reflects the power of collaboration across government, academia, and industry—driving growth, attracting talent, and positioning Rhode Island as a rising leader in life sciences.”
