Memorial Union Roof Replacement Project Status

Project Status: Active
Current Phase: Roof project updates through July 31
Latest Update: Building access, roof work, loading dock, and Campus Store updates
Last Updated: July 2026

The Memorial Union roof replacement project is underway. This page provides current updates about project status, parking impacts, loading dock access, building access, entrance changes, safety measures, and construction activity.

Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and cooperation while this important renovation work is completed.

Latest Update: Through July 31

Roof replacement work continues at the Memorial Union. Building users and visitors should continue to expect temporary parking, loading dock, entrance, and access impacts around the building.

Important access update: Interior and exterior access from the Memorial Union Front Entrance, Main Tower, and Clock Tower entrance is currently offline starting Wednesday, July 22, until further notice.

Building access is available from the Courtyard Lower Level, near the Bank and Campus Store area. Some shifting may be necessary as work progresses, but some form of access will always remain.

Dunkin Ramp access will remain open based on the most recent project update.

Parking behind the Memorial Union remains closed, except for the upper tiers of the 45-minute visitor and customer lot.

The loading dock remains open. However, roofing work will continue over the dock area. Please reach out if you have any concerns about access.

Cones, barriers, fencing, and signage will remain in place throughout the project for safety and wayfinding. All exits remain available in case of an actual emergency.

Current Access and Parking Impacts

Main Tower Entrance and Clock Tower Access

Interior and exterior access from the Memorial Union Front Entrance, Main Tower, and Clock Tower entrance is currently offline starting Wednesday, July 22, until further notice.

Please use the Courtyard Lower Level, near the Bank and Campus Store area, for building access.

Courtyard Lower Level Access

Building access is available from the Courtyard Lower Level, near the Bank and Campus Store area.

Some shifting may be necessary as project work continues. However, some form of access will always remain.

Please follow posted signage for the most current entrance and exit information.

Dunkin Ramp Access

Dunkin Ramp access will remain open based on the most recent project update.

Please continue to follow posted directional signage in and around the building. 

Parking

Parking behind the Memorial Union remains closed, except for the upper tiers of the 45-minute visitor and customer lot.

Visitors, customers, departments, tenants, and building partners who need parking accommodations should contact Melissa or Olavo.

Loading Dock

The loading dock remains open, but roofing work continues over the loading dock area.

Access near the loading dock may be impacted while roof work is underway. Please reach out if you have concerns about loading dock access.

Door Closures and Emergency Egress

Door closures and access points may shift as needed during the roof project. Some form of access will always remain.

Doors marked for exit only, emergency exit only, or emergency egress only should not be used for regular entry or exit.

All exits remain available in case of an actual emergency.

Current Roof Work

Roof work is continuing through July 31.

Current work includes:

  • Shingle removal
  • Structural roof repairs
  • Installation of new flashing
  • Continued work over the loading dock area
  • Temporary access adjustments around affected areas

Cones, barriers, fencing, and signage will remain in place for safety and wayfinding.

Campus Store Temporary Closure

The URI Campus Store is temporarily closed through August 2 while it undergoes a store refresh.

Building access remains available from the Courtyard Lower Level, near the Bank and Campus Store area, but the Campus Store itself is temporarily closed during this period.

Previous Project Phases

The following information is provided for general project history only. For current parking, entrance, loading dock, and access impacts, please refer to the latest update at the top of this page.

Earlier phases of the Memorial Union roof replacement project included work near the Union Square side of the building, the Coffee House and Senate Chambers area, the Ballroom area, the Atriums, and portions of the roofline near the loading dock side of the building.

During previous phases, some exterior doors and rear entrances were temporarily impacted for regular entry and exit. Doors in affected areas remained available for emergency exit or emergency egress as posted.

Current building users should follow the latest update above for active access, parking, loading dock, and entrance information.

Safety and Wayfinding

For the safety of students, staff, faculty, visitors, customers, vendors, tenants, and construction crews, please follow all temporary barriers and posted signage during the roof replacement project.

Throughout the project, you may see:

  • Cones
  • Barriers
  • Fencing
  • Directional signage
  • Temporary entrance and access notices
  • Construction staging areas
  • Exit-only, emergency-exit-only, or emergency-egress-only door signage

Please do not enter restricted construction areas or move safety equipment.

All exits remain available in case of an actual emergency.

Accessibility and Accommodation Requests

The Memorial Union team understands that temporary access changes may affect students, staff, faculty, visitors, customers, vendors, tenants, and building partners.

If you need an accommodation related to parking, deliveries, building access, loading dock access, or another project impact, please contact Melissa or Olavo.

Project Contacts

For accommodation needs or questions related to the Memorial Union roof replacement project, please contact:

Melissa Boyd-Colvin
Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Director of the Memorial Union
Melissa: 817-797-2179

Olavo Goncalves
Assistant Director, Office of Union Operations
Olavo: 401-663-2845

Future Updates

Additional updates will be shared as the project progresses. Please check this page for current parking, entrance, loading dock, access, and project-specific impacts.