"It is so convenient," said Gwen Arder, a 15-year Norwich taxpayer who lives on Washington Street. "It's been here for years. What will they do with all that empty space?"

Interviewed outside Norwichtown Mall, she said the council, which voted 4-2 against Mahan Drive but asked Gov. John G. Rowland to work with it on another site, should have put the matter before a city-wide vote.

Arder, whose son attended Three Rivers, also pointed out that even high school students benefit from the college because they are able to take college-level classes there.

Jeannette Cardosa of Preston, also at the mall, said she believes the college should be moved to the old Norwich Hospital site, which is located mostly in her hometown.

If the college leaves the immediate Norwich area it will be huge loss for the city, she said.

"We'll lose," Cardosa said. Norwich now receives $250,000 a year in PILOT, payment in lieu of taxes, from the state.

Kennedy Drive resident William Molonson said, even though he has no children, he too views the potential move as a big loss.

The council "should have voted yes," Molonson said. "The children are our future. I mean, why not say yes?"