San Diego State has been in this city when there was absolutely nothing surrounding it but dirt. However, the neighboring community of Rolando aims to prevent any school-related expansion regardless of the area’s university-based history.

Residential management company JPI has proposed a new complex, dubbed as a “mega-dorm” by some, to hold more than 1,000 residents, targeting students as people to rent out the apartments.

This project, called the Douglas Wilson Cos.’ Centrepoint is planned to be located at El Cajon Boulevard and 63rd Street. The area was previously a shopping center that was demolished in the last year.

With the space being located near the university, it only seems logical to replace the business locale with something catering to a large segment of students who spend a lot of time in the area.

With less than half of SDSU’s population being from outside the San Diego area – a higher percentage than most California State Universities – housing is a huge issue, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Mini-dorms are peppered throughout the area, and most local residents are not willing to have students live near them.

Many are calling it a “mega-dorm” because it’s not released like a normal apartment complex. Leases will be “by the bed” to make sure there is no overcrowding of apartments, which some complain to be a contributor to noise, like the mini-dorms.

But the angry residents don’t have anything to complain about because this is better in numerous ways.

With this “mega-dorm” being an option over the mini-dorms, Centrepoint could actually increase the quality and value of land. It would be better to have 1,000 students in one place than have hundreds of mini-dorms sprinkled in residential communities.

At this point in time, there is not a lot that can be done to fix the housing issues in the area. CSUs weren’t designed to accommodate a large portion of out-of-area students, according to The U-T.

It’s easy to blame the university for the lack of planning and allowing a greater influx of people from out of state without providing adequate housing.

With more than 58,000 applicants last year and only 9,500 accepted, people who live in the surrounding area cannot expect a university like SDSU to grow in size.

When SDSU announced its Master Plan in 2005, which included plans of the university outreaching into other parts of the area because of such a rapid increase of students, many people were outraged that SDSU was creeping too far into residential areas that came much later than the university.

This is yet another case of the “Not in my backyard” attitude from neighbors, which results in a myopic view that ends up hurting everyone in the long run.

One woman interviewed by KNSD-TV said she opposes the plan because it will bring a segment of population with no connection to the neighborhood.

It’s beyond unrealistic, almost in the realm of fantasy, to expect people who attend SDSU to not want to live nearby or to suggest that only Rolando residents should attend a nearby university funded by the state government.

It’s not difficult to understand why students choose to rent places that are low in cost in comparison to the often exorbitantly priced dorms and on-campus apartments, which can cost twice as much as an apartment a mile away from campus. Because SDSU gives no incentive for students to live on campus past their freshman year, students scatter.

However, at this point, with the controversy surrounding the mini-dorms, noise violation fines and wait-listed students for the dorms, the only thing that can be done to moderately alleviate pressure is to allow the construction of this complex.

If anything, the area surrounding the proposed complex is in dire need of rebuilding. The area could be gentrified with Centrepoint being the anchor for the surrounding community.

There are several empty lots, vacant retail offices and centers between Montezuma Road and College Avenue on El Cajon Boulevard. These failed businesses and organizations leave a negative quality to the surrounding area more so than supposed loud college students and traffic. If anything, the area needs traffic to boost its businesses. Centrepoint will be a fantastic jump point to start from.

If locals want control over the noise, the staff of the complex will have 24-hour management ensuring noise, according to a JPI hand-out with frequently asked questions. Residents who have two or more noise violations will be evicted as per their lease terms, which are discussed during signing.

The new Centrepoint is trying to make the best out of a handful of issues, mistakes and general growth in the area.

There are just too many factors involved to write this complex off as an issue. In a perfect world, the university would have adequate housing to suit demands, mini-dorms would disappear and locals wouldn’t complain.

The only way to help relieve the pressure would be a third-party offering of housing for students after all that is needed to be fixed – not because of local pressure.

-John P. Gamboa is a pre-journalism junior.

-This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed – include your full name, major and year in school.