Coast Guard Academy to hold information sessions on proposed Riverside Park sale

New London - Officials at the Coast Guard Academy took to heart a suggestion that they reach out to those in the community who oppose the idea of selling a portion of Riverside Park.

The Coast Guard will host information sessions on Sept. 1 and 7 at the Public Library to answer questions about its interest in purchasing about 10 acres of the public park off Crystal Avenue. The meetings will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. in the library's community room.

The Coast Guard Academy, which abuts the 18-acre park, needs land to expand its 103-acre campus. Officials have said they would eventually use the land to build a professional development training facility, a cultural diversity center and possibly a prep school for potential Coast Guard Academy students.

The city has appraised the slice of the park in which the Coast Guard is interested at nearly $2.6 million. Six acres, including the waterfront, would remain as a city park.

Several groups have come out against a sale, including LOT (Looking Out for Taxpayers), the New London Green Party, the Parks Conservancy, the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Neighborhood Alliance, which represents neighborhoods across the city.

The Coast Guard owns another eight acres of undeveloped land north of its campus, and those opposed to the Riverside Park sale have asked why that land is not being used. According to the Coast Guard's master plan, an indoor firing range will be built on that property.

At the last City Council meeting, councilors asked the Coast Guard to meet with groups that are opposed to the sale and explain their plans.

The City Council has also referred the Coast Guard's proposed purchase to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review. Under state statutes, the planning commission must evaluate the proposed sale and make sure it is consistent with the city's Plan of Conservation and Development.

Planning commission members will meet at Riverside Park at 6 p.m. Sept. 2 to walk the site. The regularly scheduled meeting will follow at 7 p.m. at City Hall.