The proposed campus was unveiled to Sid Holbrook, representing Gov. John Rowland; Marc Ryan, director of the state Office of Policy and Management; and Jim Abromaitis, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

The plan calls for a single large brick building on the property between Water Street and Chelsea Harbor Drive. Other buildings and parking are located on Hollyhock Island, with one parking lot designated for the west side of the Yantic River. The plan also includes a daycare facility, a walking path, two baseball fields, a basketball court, a gymnasium and a footbridge connecting Hollyhock Island and Chelsea Harbor Drive.

Holbrook said he was impressed, but work remains and "we still have to see the numbers." That would be prudent. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Tuesday's meeting was the comment by Rowland's Director of Information Dean Pagani who said, "I don't see the ball park figure of $86 million (the proposed cost of the project) as a road block, but it is a factor."

There's no question that $86 million is a factor -- but it's not unreasonable and should not be an insurmountable obstacle. Five years ago Gov. Rowland put the cost of the relocation at $57 million, and that cost in real dollars has risen significantly since then. And for $86 million -- or whatever the final figure is -- the city, the state, and the students and faculty of Three Rivers would get a lot.

Norwich taxpayers over the years have gotten precious little bang for their buck, as they endured for decades the presence of the Norwich Hospital and the impact of its deinstitutionalization. Our thriving textile mills were deserted after World War II as the owners moved their businesses to the Carolinas. When state routes 2 and 32 reached Norwich, they insulted residents by intruding through existing city streets, rather than circumvent the city as newly built roadways.

The renditions of the college are impressive, as is the waterfront location at the confluence of the Yantic, Shetucket and Thames rivers. The value to Norwich is all but inestimable and would make downtown a pleasure to visit for residents and out-of-towners, as well as students and faculty of the college. The economic advantages pursuant to the college's arrival would be of huge benefit to downtown.

The Department of Economic and Community Development is working on a study of the economic impact should the college relocate to downtown. That study should be completed next month.

There's no done deal here. But when the meeting between Ronald Aliano's development team and Gov. Rowland's representatives concluded, optimism as well as participants emerged from the room.