Coast Guard Academy may ease out of New London

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH/AP) - The Coast Guard Academy may move some programs out of New London if it cannot expand.

The academy wanted to build a national simulation center at Riverside Park, where students could experience what it's like to be on the bridge of a ship without leaving land. However, New London residents voted down a deal to sell nearly half of the waterfront park to the Coast Guard Academy.

New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said Thursday residents balked because they viewed the sale similarly to the eminent domain fight that small-property owners lost in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005.

Some are hoping other areas in the city would appeal to the academy, but the superintendent says if it's not next door it gets complicated.

"The problem with locating anything outside a contiguous property is that you have to reestablish an entire facility that's remote, provide all the security, try to find transportation for your students to get there and all that is just unrealistic," said USCG Academy Superintendent Rear Admiral Sandra Stolz.

Adm. Stolz says right now the New London campus is growing beyond capacity and may have to move some of its locations from the New London campus. Ideally she would like to keep expanding into the park.

"If they're not gonna take care of it and use it for recreation, I don't see why they don't let the Coast Guard have part of it," said New London resident Cathy Martin.

Some now wonder if plans for the National Coast Guard museum in New London may also set sail.

"I hope that we can move forward in a positive direction for the benefit of the Coast Guard and New London," said Adm. Stolz.

The superintendent hopes to continue discussions with the city. She is meeting with Mayor Finizio later in the month.