Reed Helps Cut Ribbon at New Lincoln Centralized Rescue and Learning Center

LINCOLN, RI – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed visited the new centralized rescue station and adjoining Lincoln Learning Center for a special ribbon cutting ceremony. The $16.5 million project utilized $2 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that Senator Reed helped secure. Located next door to Lincoln Town Hall, the two-story, 13,500-square-foot building will serve as a community hub and houses a centralized rescue station and community learning center. The learning center includes a telemedicine room, four multipurpose rooms, and four open spaces that offer flexibility for accommodating overflow from the library and senior center. The space can be used for things like classes, after-school activities, health programming, and other community events. “This is a terrific community asset for the Town of Lincoln. It’s a safe, modern, welcoming space that will hopefully bring people together and offer new opportunities for learning, community programming, and neighborhood events,” said Senator Reed. “This new facility is desigbed to bring public safety, education, health, and community services all under one roof. I hope it will foster connection and community for many years to come.” The centralized rescue station will consolidate operations currently based on Albion Road and Lonsdale Avenue. From this new location, more than 90 percent of Lincoln residents can be reached by rescue in less than eight minutes, cutting the current response time in half. The new facility also includes over 45 parking spots and connection to the Town Hall parking area and a two-way entrance on Old River Road. Rhode Island received $112.3 million in federal ARPA funding for its Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund in 2021. The state chose to allocate $82.2 million of that federal funding to the construction, renovation, and preservation of community learning centers across the Ocean State. To ensure transparent use of the federal ARPA funds, the state created an online tracker showing how federal money was being directed to each community learning center . The project was executed by KBA Architects, Ahlborg Construction Corporation, and Downes Construction Company.