In 2005, the US Supreme Court issued one of its most controversial decisions. In Kelo v. City of New London, the Court held that it was not unconstitutional to use the power of eminent domain to take homes and other private property and transfer the property to private entities for economic development. It found that economic development was a “public purpose” which, therefore, satisfied the Fifth Amendment “public use” requirement.

Although the taking was held to be constitutional, the extraordinary public reaction caused the City of New London to abandon the project. 8 years later, the property remains vacant. Last year, New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio issued an apology to former Fort Trumbull property owners and announced a restructuring of the New London Development Corp. The NLDC was renamed the Renaissance City Development Association, and earlier this month, the leadership of the board changed. Linda Mariani, a lifelong resident of the city and an attorney, was elected president. According to the New London newspaper The Day, The mayor wants the land that was taken by eminent domain to be set aside and used only for public projects. Possibilities include a desalinization plant, a wind farm and a solar field. A municipal parking garage with ground-floor retail is also a possibility, he said.

 

The mayor wants the land that was taken by eminent domain to be set aside and used only for public projects. Possibilities include a desalinization plant, a wind farm and a solar field. A municipal parking garage with ground-floor retail is also a possibility, he said.