I agree with Paul Choiniere’s column, “State screw-ups led to demise of historic Seaside structures,” (Feb. 25).

The Seaside buildings were designed by Cass Gilbert, acclaimed architect of many notable buildings in New York City and elsewhere in our country. Seaside is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it was historically and medically important. Now it could be torn down for a park. $7 million in Federal American Rescue Plan funds would be used for the park although Federal Funds cannot be used to tear down structures on the National Register.

Government neglect of unused buildings is not uncommon. In Groton the state acquired a substantial brick house now part of Fort Griswold but vacant and not maintained —even broken windows are not fixed. Similarly the vacant Groton Heights School owned by the Town of Groton is deteriorating with a leaky roof and broken windows. This was the most structurally sound and architecturally beautiful school in Groton, donated in 1912 by philanthropist Frederic Bill, who also donated the adjacent Bill Memorial Library. The house and school are becoming blight in the historic residential neighborhood.

A park plan should be developed to reuse the most historic of the Seaside buildings.

Tom Althuis

Groton