Angela Carter , Register Staff 07/30/2004

The college campus would be at the former Macy’s and Malley’s sites, while the theater would take up land at South Orange Street and Frontage Road, now owned by the Knights of Columbus.

In later phases, a hotel and conference center would be built where the mothballed New Haven Coliseum stands and 280 apartment units and retail space would be built along George Street. Two new parking garages are proposed off Church and George streets.

City resident Gary Ferdinand said city government "has a lot better things to do" with the $6 million in bond funds targeted to demolish the Coliseum and chided officials for not holding public hearings or a referendum prior to shutting it down.

Michael Stotts, managing director of Long Wharf Theatre, said moving downtown would give its patrons access to restaurants and retail shops.

Deirdre Loftus, president of Gateway’s Student Government Association, said students are excited about an opportunity to be downtown and near more amenities than are available at its current Sargent Drive or North Haven campuses.

In response to concerns about the college’s tax-exempt status, Loftus said community colleges that moved to downtown Bridgeport and Hartford helped revitalize those areas. "I say give us a chance to prove our worth," said Loftus, who commutes to college from Naugatuck.

Steve Marcus, a city resident who opposes the plan, said the fate of the Coliseum should not be tied to plans for the college and theater.

"Regarding the (closing) of the New Haven Coliseum, New Haven has made a mistake," Marcus said, before calling for "an unbiased study" and public hearings on the planned demolition. "Mistakes can be corrected. We are waiting."

Development Commission Co-chairman Kenneth Braffman said the panel would consider all public testimony before voting.

"I believe the change in the market weighed heavily in the mayor’s decision," he said.