It is astonishing that this distinctive little city of New London continues to be battered by money, by demolition, highways, mal-appropriate design (unfunctioning Parade, two scary parking garages), amateur ideas, expedient plans, shopping centers, tree cutting, and neglect. So stop and think hard before New London is further hammered by demolition of the Meridian and Mercer buildings. 

This is an era when we know the value of heritage, and of historically significant architecture. It is a time for preservation, re-use, wise growth, for voices of residents to be regarded. 

What is going on now is chipping away history, regulations, intelligent planning, and dropping community needs into dumpsters: the Mystic streetscape rebrands a formerly dignified culture; Mystic Seaport's Quonset relates to nothing local nor to Historic District design; the proposed Coast Guard Museum's secretive and dogged illogical site selection; Chester's new foreign design elements; the Oyster Club's manipulation of regulations and defiance of village integrity. The real is obliterated. 

How does this happen? Money, ego, leadership, politics? "Stuff Happens" to the residents of New London; it should happen with and for them. 

Nancy d'Estang

Old Mystic