New London officials should be ashamed approving to build a 62,000-square-foot building on seven acres of prime, taxable waterfront property. ("Plans move forward for New London community center," Oct. 14). The plan lacks good judgment, good fiscal policy, and common sense! Taxpayers should be outraged that property taken 20 years ago by eminent domain is being taken off the tax rolls to build this albatross. 49% of New London properties are nontaxable — turning ANY taxable property into nontaxable is ludicrous.

The size of the project (62,000 sq. ft) is outrageous. Drive by Yale New Haven Medical on Howard Street. That building is 50,000 sq. ft located on two acres. Charter Oak Credit Union on Hartford Road is 65,000 sq. ft. New London brain trust officials have skillfully commandeered seven prime acres with waterfront views. This is the wrong use of beautiful property!

The proposed design is ultra-modern, futuristic, and high tech. The building is over designed and way over budget and construction has not even begun. There is no estimate of operating costs. A functional building could be built for 1/2 the cost. Taxpayers should be appalled flushing 30 million (really 40 mill) down this toilet.

It is deja vu all over again.

Murray Renshaw

Property Owner

New London