Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch today expressed his strong opposition to legislation that would convey certain parcels of land freed up by the relocation of Route 195 to Brown University and Johnson & Wales University, bypassing the public bidding process used in state land sales.

“No non-profit institution or business should be granted exclusive and proprietary rights to the valuable parcels of land that will be made available for redevelopment by the Route 195 relocation,” Lynch said. “It is against the best interests of economic development for our capital city and our state to have a no-bid process and an automatic right of first refusal to the land in question.”

In a letter delivered yesterday to House Finance Chair Steven M. Costantino, Lynch wrote, “Although the legislation describes the public purpose of these transfers, and the laudable goals that could be accomplished in the wake of those actions, as Attorney General I cannot support a legislatively directed transfer of such valuable property. As a member of the State Properties Committee, I have long advocated that all transfers of state property be done in an open and fair manner, and in a manner that will bring the most benefit to our state’s residents.”

Lynch, a 1987 graduate of Brown University, said, “Both Brown and Johnson & Wales are vital and world-renowned members of our state’s educational community and dynamic incubators of jobs for Rhode Islanders. 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.”

A copy of Lynch’s letter to Chairman Costantino is attached.

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