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Plans to locate the detention center on state-owned land in Bridgeport have angered area residents and lawmakers, who say they were kept in the dark about the proposal and who feel that the facility should not be built in a residential area.

Opponents say they will fight the decision. They plan to form a "De-Rail The Jail" committee, demand a meeting with Rell, and lobby the bond commission. It is unclear how much recourse they have, however. Rell is chairwoman of the bond commission and controls its agenda.

Rell initially announced plans for the facility in October in advance of a scheduled bond commission vote. After lawmakers raised objections and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said postponing action would help, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele withdrew all items related to the project from the bond commission's agenda. At the time, Rell's budget director, Robert Genuario, said the delay would allow commissioners to review environmental and other concerns.

On Tuesday, Department of Children and Families spokesman Gary Kleeblatt said the decision to move ahead with the proposal followed meetings last month with Bridgeport residents and service providers, which he said allowed the department to describe the program and point out reasons for picking Bridgeport: The site is close to highways and public transportation and is within a half hour of New Haven and Waterbury.

Kleeblatt said the department would create an advisory committee of residents and city officials to get input on construction, how to minimize impact on neighbors, and operations of the facility.

"We're convinced that this is a much needed program located in the most suitable spot," he said.

But state Rep. Christopher Caruso, D-Bridgeport, questioned the suitability of putting the detention center in a dense residential area. He blasted the plan as "arrogance and a total disregard for the people who live in Bridgeport."

"It's disturbing to me because I wonder if [Rell] would use the same determination, the same energy, the same zeal if this was being located to a suburban community," he said. "It just underscores once again how cities are treated by this state. We already have a juvenile facility in Bridgeport. We already have a major jail in the city of Bridgeport. And here the state wants to put another jail and doesn't really care what the people have to say."

Bridgeport resident Joel Bing, who said he lives within 400 feet of the proposed site, is organizing neighbors against the plan. He said the meeting with state officials seemed to make little difference, even though about 250 people showed up, residents voiced opposition and some, including the mayor, have offered alternatives.

"Why Bridgeport?" he asked. "Why in a residential area? There's so many other places it could go."

A statement released by Rell's office said other state-owned sites were considered, but the Bridgeport parcel met "important criteria":

•It is at the junction of Routes 8 and 15 and is on a bus line, making it accessible to families.

•The site requires little prep work.

•The parcel is big enough to accommodate the facility.

In October, at Caruso's request, Blumenthal wrote to Genuario, asking that he review the conclusion by state public works officials that the proposed facility would not require an environmental impact statement. Blumenthal also wrote that it would be advisable to provide community forums and outreach before picking a site and starting a project, even if not legally required.

On Tuesday, Blumenthal said he would wait to take a position on the proposal.

"I have long favored the concept of a facility serving girls who need this assistance, but I will consult with local leaders, community representatives, citizens and other state officials before making a decision on this proposal," Blumenthal said in a written statement.

State Child Advocate Jeanne Milstein said the state needs a secure facility for girls, no matter where it is built. But this situation could have been avoided if DCF had a facility ready when Long Lane closed and other treatment alternatives, she said.

"The losers here are the girls," she said.

Milstein said that she is concerned about how families would get to Bridgeport, since it is not in a central part of the state, and said that DCF should have communicated better with the neighbors.

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