The relationship between the City of Norwich, its residents and Three Rivers Community College has been long and productive. Early efforts by community leaders to bring the college to Norwich had a payback: We finally have a center for education and culture that we could vigorously support as a community and in exchange receive the necessary training that we need for job opportunity and/or just continuing education. We I have much to thank the college for.

The recent decision by members of the City Council to reject the college expansion on site was an unfortunate decision. It may have indeed pleased a number of people in the community, particularly those who have been so publicly outspoken about traffic and surface water.
The interpretation of the governor's office by this action, I think, bears reasonable assumption. That is, let's look around southeastern Connecticut for an alternative site. I think this is a potential tragedy for both the community and the college.

Those who have suggested that the real issue is the students repeatedly remind us that the college has a mission and the mission has been eminently successful in Norwich and now needs to grow in order to respond to increased public need.
About six months ago, the Department of Transportation commented on the results of a traffic study that suggested very clearly that the traffic increase at the four corners - Harland Road, Washington Street and Route 2 - is not the result of the college because, regardless of whether the college is functioning, the jam up continues. Two casinos and summer beach traffic generate the major traffic load.
Historically, the leadership of Norwich who recognized the potential for traffic passing through hoped visitors would patronize local business. Washington Street, Water Street and connecting bridges have turned into runways for traffic passing through.

Originally, it was decided that traffic going to Route 2 must come through Norwich rather than - create a bypass system over the Pequot Bridge. I think we have all come to recognize that was not a good decision because the traffic jams have become insufferable (and very little traffic stops in transit).
We are a small community and haven't otherwise had much internal traffic until the past several years.
Traffic on Harland Road and Washington Street hadn't changed dramatically until recently. Diverting traffic from I-395 across the Pequot Bridge and onto a connector to Route 2 would make a lot of sense, allowing Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun traffic to have more direct access to major road systems.

Streets would be strained
As activities at the college increase, the local streets are not prepared to handle the traffic. Would those in charge consider the idea of a new entrance directly off Harland Road straight into the center of a newly enlarged, expanded campus and no longer using the local streets for access?
The groundwater/surface water problem is not new. In 1960, while designing the Medical Center Office Building, we recognized the brook there was being ignored as it had been for at least the last 100 years. The City of Norwich has the responsibility of taking care of its residents and this is one of those conditions that has been ignored.
All of a sudden, the City Council declares, "Not our problem!" Additionally, a multi-level parking garage on the Three Rivers campus could reduce I surface water; conceivably less than is generated today. It needs to be attended to regardless of whether the college remains.
Options for considering sites in the downtown area were initially intriguing, but closer examination revealed them to be difficult. The waterfront site would be an outrage. Access to the site visually and on foot is an entitlement that cannot be given away. The thought of a mega structure stretching along the east shoreline is insulting and it would be an outrageous desecration of the remaining shoreline that belongs to the public.
The other site, Chestnut Street, is very expensive to rescue because of the extensive contamination of subsoil and the condition of the buildings there.
Additionally, of course, is the issue of access from several directions, which would suggest a new traffic burden downtown.
The final local alternative off New London Turnpike at the existing Regional Technical School with 150 acres - to the former Uncas-on-Thames property offers interesting possibilities but, again, there is the issue of traffic.
The access on New London Turnpike, the traffic burden on Route 32 and west Main Street seems already at a peak load and raises hard questions of the impact of an expanded college there.
I agree that traffic and groundwater are problems to be addressed at the existing site. The water issue must be addressed regardless of whether the college remains there. Residents there are entitled to help independent of the college presence.

Garage could ease surface water
As I noted previously, the use of a multi-level parking garage could substantially reduce the surface water gathered at Three Rivers and could reduce dramatically the holding basin. The traffic issue will only be reduced with an improved connection from Route 2 to I-395 via the Pequot Bridge.
We always have opportunities to make good decisions; We even have opportunity to rescue not- so-good decisions. In this instance, I would make a public plea to retain the college on its present site; allow the planners to address the issues and to demonstrate the opportunities that can be created.
Exaggerated statements serve no useful purpose. The full gathering of facts has not been done.
Let's ask our planners how they would propose to address the issues that have been so publicly stated and give us a chance to exercise fair judgment.

Mr. Sharpe, of Norwich, is an architect.

Originally published Sunday, July 13, 2003
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