New London - Coast Guard officials and New London city leaders are moving ahead on the possibility of the Coast Guard buying Riverside Park from the city.As part of the process, a National Environmental Policy Act review is under way to evaluate the environmental effects the Coast Guard's plan will have on the land. A draft copy of the 66-page document is available online and at the public library. The public can submit comments through April 21.

As part of the process, a National Environmental Policy Act review is under way to evaluate the environmental effects the Coast Guard's plan will have on the land. A draft copy of the 66-page document is available online and at the public library. The public can submit comments through April 21.The Coast Guard Academy, which is adjacent to the 18-acre park, wants to expand its campus. According to Coast Guard officials, the 120-acre academy is operating close to peak capacity and needs additional land.

The Coast Guard Academy, which is adjacent to the 18-acre park, wants to expand its campus. According to Coast Guard officials, the 120-acre academy is operating close to peak capacity and needs additional land.A draft assessment, which was prepared in March, says the Coast Guard has "no firm design plans for the park,'' but does have a conceptual vision for expansion that includes classrooms, dormitories, athletic fields, parking lots, an aquatic center and a diversity/cultural arts center.

A draft assessment, which was prepared in March, says the Coast Guard has "no firm design plans for the park,'' but does have a conceptual vision for expansion that includes classrooms, dormitories, athletic fields, parking lots, an aquatic center and a diversity/cultural arts center."The Academy has long recognized the need to secure additional space for future growth," said Superintendent Rear Adm. Scott Burhoe. "We are committed to working closely with city officials and the community as we explore the purchase of this land and continue the long-standing partnership with the city, our home."

"The Academy has long recognized the need to secure additional space for future growth," said Superintendent Rear Adm. Scott Burhoe. "We are committed to working closely with city officials and the community as we explore the purchase of this land and continue the long-standing partnership with the city, our home."Mayor Rob Pero said the city will hold informational meetings in April to hear what residents think about the proposal.

Mayor Rob Pero said the city will hold informational meetings in April to hear what residents think about the proposal.The city will also contact the local legislative delegation to discuss waiving a state law that requires a municipality to replace any public land it sells, acre for acre.

The city will also contact the local legislative delegation to discuss waiving a state law that requires a municipality to replace any public land it sells, acre for acre."The city needs to do its due diligence,'' Pero said. "If everything goes forward, we would need some kind of waiver for replacing open space. ... It's better to have a discussion with the delegation now to see if there's an issue."

"The city needs to do its due diligence,'' Pero said. "If everything goes forward, we would need some kind of waiver for replacing open space. ... It's better to have a discussion with the delegation now to see if there's an issue."In February, the Coast Guard announced it was interested in acquiring the park from the city. The property is assessed at $2.6 million. In 1932, the city gave the Coast Guard its current site.

In February, the Coast Guard announced it was interested in acquiring the park from the city. The property is assessed at $2.6 million. In 1932, the city gave the Coast Guard its current site.According to the report, the Coast Guard has been located on the west bank of the Thames River since 1932. Riverside Park, a public park for more than 100 years, originally was 33 acres, but was reduced to 18 in 1961 when the Coast Guard acquired a portion of the park through eminent domain.

According to the report, the Coast Guard has been located on the west bank of the Thames River since 1932. Riverside Park, a public park for more than 100 years, originally was 33 acres, but was reduced to 18 in 1961 when the Coast Guard acquired a portion of the park through eminent domain.The Coast Guard's interest in the property is one for several proposals that have emerged over the years.

The Coast Guard's interest in the property is one for several proposals that have emerged over the years.In early 2000, the Coast Guard considered the site for a proposed National Coast Guard Museum, but decided on land at Fort Trumbull instead.

In early 2000, the Coast Guard considered the site for a proposed National Coast Guard Museum, but decided on land at Fort Trumbull instead.Pero said there have been no discussions about locating the proposed museum at a Riverside Park site.

Pero said there have been no discussions about locating the proposed museum at a Riverside Park site.k.edgecomb@theday.com

k.edgecomb@theday.com

How to comment:

A draft of the environmental assessment is available at the Public Library of New London and online at www.uscga.edu/riversideparkNEPA.

To let the Coast Guard know how you feel about a possible purchase of Riverside Park you can call (401) 736-1706 or write to:

Michael Andrews

U.S. Coast Guard

Civil Engineering Unit Providence

300 Metro Center Blvd.

Warwick, R.I., 02886