State officials could not answer some questions, while other responses provided little comfort to neighbors who already were skeptical of the expansion and consolidation of the Mohegan Campus site.

The majority of those who spoke at the informational meeting voiced their concerns to the state Department of Public Works about environmental impacts of the project, such as diminished air quality from a proposed two-level parking garage to be built near Kelly Middle School and the Rose City Senior Center. Others were critical that the Mahan Drive site was chosen well before the current traffic and water drainage problems were solved.

"The impact to this neighborhood will be phenomenal. This is not against the college, this is our neighborhood," said Donald Beebe, whose law firm and residence are near the college. "Your plan does not deal with the neighborhood. You're not good neighbors."

Tuesday's meeting was the first time residents have spoken out since the state Community Colleges Board of Trustees endorsed on May 20 the Mahan Drive site as the place for consolidation and expansion of Three Rivers' two campuses. Nearly 100 residents, city officials and state representatives attended the meeting held at the very site where the expansion and consolidation is expected to take place.

Dennis Tovey, a DPW project manager, said the department is beginning the selection process for architects to design the renovations and additions to the existing Mahan Drive building. Tovey said DPW expects to retain a firm this fall and hopes to sign a contract by December.

DMJM & Harris Inc., meanwhile, will conduct a study in accordance with the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act, to determine any major impacts the project would have on the surrounding neighborhood. There will be a public hearing once the environmental impact document is done.

The current Mohegan Campus master plan would add 200,000 square feet to the existing 100,000 square feet for a new library, classrooms, offices, laboratories, two-level parking garage and renovated cafeteria. But Tovey called the 1995 design a "conceptual plan" since it needs to be updated.

Amanda Ewoldt, who fears that a portion of her Harland Road property will be taken to accommodate the college expansion, said the traffic conditions in the neighborhood present serious dangers as "motorists many times have little regard for the posted speed limits."

But resident Susan Topping-Zander -- a Three Rivers faculty member and one of the few who supported the project Tuesday night -- said Three Rivers students cannot be held accountable for all the traffic problems along Harland and Ox Hill roads, which serve as conduits to Taftville and Greeneville.

"You want (the college) here, but you're not too happy that we might actually be here in your back yard," she said.