Since Jones is not a native to Norwich and Gov. John G. Rowland has renewed interest in the Chestnut and Franklin streets site, Lathrop gave Jones an impromptu tour with a historical narrative of the area to familiarize her with that section of downtown.

Lathrop said with the block, which includes the former JB Martin velvet mill and the former Hopkins & Allen Firearms Co., back on the governor's agenda, he felt it was his obligation to make sure everyone involved is informed of its "benefits and liabilities."

"What we really have now are two plans and an idea. What the governor wants to see is the idea become a plan with the requisite numbers and layout, so I thought it was a good idea to invite President Jones to see the site," Lathrop said.

The two "plans" the mayor spoke of include the proposal to relocate Three Rivers to an expanded Thames Valley Campus on New London Turnpike -- which the state community college trustees voted unanimously to support -- and a city-backed plan to build a harbor side campus on Water Street.

The "idea" refers to the Chestnut and Franklin streets location that is under review by state agencies. When first proposed four years ago, the idea was dismissed by the Office of Policy and Management because it was too expensive -- it could have cost $89 million. It would have involved razing some 24 buildings in the block.

Two other plans are being considered -- expanding the Mohegan Campus on Mahan Drive and consolidating the college in Preston near routes 12 and 2A.

Lathrop said if the Chestnut and Franklin streets plan is approved, he hoped the mill portion bordering Willow Street is saved for it historical architecture.

Tuesday, Three Rivers students were mixed about the old mill renovation plan being revisited.

Ron Smith, 18, of Lebanon said the move to downtown would be good, but he doesn't like the Chestnut Street location.

Kyisha Bowman, 20, of Norwich said she'd like the Preston site to win-out in the end so "it could be all in one campus."

Joe Lopes, 19, of Lebanon said he simply wants the two campuses to consolidate so it would be easier to access and "you won't have to drive 20 minutes from one to the other."

But Ronald Aliano, lead developer with the Chelsea Community Development Group, said he expects that after the governor's office investigates the New London Turnpike plan and the Chestnut Street mill site his harbor-side campus will be more attractive.

Aliano said the potential brownfields under the former industrial mills would increase the cost to close to $100 million -- $38 million more than the state's allotment for the project. He said the mill site is too far from the heart of downtown to have a positive effect on economic development in the Chelsea District.

"The governor has been receptive to the idea of community colleges serving the students as well as being an economic development engine for municipalities. I am still hopeful that the governor will identify our plan as the most appropriate," Aliano said.