I am dismayed by the proposed demolition of 116 and 130 Bank Street.

New London is an old Whaling City which had one of the largest concentrations of Greek revival architecture in the country. With more enlightened planning, New London would now be a tourist destination. Instead, in the 1960s, fueled by urban renewal dollars, New London went on a rampage of demolition, destroying the larger part of its historic core.

Bank Street is the most notable historic area which survived urban renewal. It is largely intact and contains a few 18th- and a number of early 19th-century buildings.

116 Bank Street is one of the oldest buildings on the street, having been built shortly after the burning of the city by the British. Next door, 130 is a fine brick federal, neo-classical building; there is only one other similar building in New London.

New London is excited because the Coast Guard museum will be built downtown. The city hopes that this will draw tourists and boost the economy. Destroying our remaining historic buildings makes no sense. New buildings can be seen anywhere.

I hope owner Bill Cornish will change his plans for the good of the community.

Peter Kreckovic

New London