The pain from the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Kelo v. City of New London keeps on throbbing. That controversial 2005 case revolved around New London’s efforts to replace a neighborhood of working-class homes and businesses with fancy new condos, offices, marinas and such. The goal was to create a waterfront district pleasing to workers at a new Pfizer research facility nearby — and, at least in the long run, to raise more tax revenues, which the city desperately needed.

Pfizer’s recent announcement that it will abandon the office park in two years points to the futility of basing economic development on luring one big corporate player. But this policy seemed downright sad against the sight of a city condemning property and giving it to other private owners because they are richer.

The U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment covers the controversial practice of eminent domain: It lets government seize private property for public purposes — such as roads, schools or military bases — as long as owners are fairly compensated.

But the definition of public use had been expanded to include giving condemned property to other private owners in the name of economic development. In its famous 1981 Poletown decision, the Michigan Supreme Court permitted Detroit to condemn an old neighborhood for a General Motors factory.

There had been many vivid cases of governments condemning private property for far less obvious public uses — for example, giving it to builders of luxury waterfront housing or upscale car dealerships. New London’s crusade to take property in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood seemed one of those cases.

Some of the holdouts didn’t like the price being offered. Others were merely elderly residents determined to spend the rest of their days in familiar surroundings.

In any event, the justices ruled against the little people in Fort Trumbull and for the city. It must be noted that the majority argument, held by the court’s more liberal members, did not directly address the ethics of eminent domain. Rather they upheld a state’s right — in this case, Connecticut’s — to set rules governing eminent domain. The outcry from this case prompted Connecticut and other states to greatly tighten these laws.

We believe that the best economic development grows organically in a soil fertilized with sensible tax policies and competent government. Pfizer was lured to New London with a bunch of special deals.

Among them, it was allowed to pay taxes on only 20 percent of its property’s assessed value for 10 years. The residents and other businesses had to pay the taxes that Pfizer didn’t.

When companies choose a location because of local bribes, one should not expect too much loyalty in return. Pfizer will complete its withdrawal in 2011, just when its tax deal with the city runs out. Meanwhile, old Fort Trumbull is gone for good.

New London has too prime a location and physical beauty not to rise from these ashes. While the civic black eye from its treatment of an old neighborhood will eventually wear off, it needs to be remembered.