By Amira El-Khaouli

Opinion Editor

While students have battled freeway and construction traffic on or near campus all semester, they can be reassured that the best is yet to come, in time. San Marcos plans on developing a University District with a North City development area, part of which begins construction February 2012.

The Quad, the new student dormitory building which is across the street from the main campus and located on Barham Drive, is the first phase of what will come to be known as the North City development, a part of the new San Marcos University District.

On Nov. 28, the city of San Marcos accepted a $1 million grant from California Natural Resources Agency to help construct part of this district. This grant goes toward restoration of habitat and construction of a multi-purpose trail alongside San Marcoscreek.

Part of the construction will include 308 new ‘beds’ opening at The Quad, which will open for fall of next year. Priority applications will be accepted until March of 2013 and are reviewed upon a first-come, first-serve basis.

The entire University District will be 194 acres near CSUSM, in whichNorthCitywill be the largest development. North City is currently being zoned for mixed use, which means that there will be both residential and commercial properties, with student housing as a large and important part of the area.

North City will be geared to the student population as a “Live, work, play hub with restaurants and retail that are student-serving in nature,” Communications Officer with the City ofSan Marcos Jenny Windlesaid.

The city plans show that The Quad is slated to be on the corner of Campus Way and North City Drive. This means that Barham Drive, which is where The Quad is currently located, will have a name-change as part of the development. In preparation, students should become familiar with all routes to campus, to avoid future confusion and construction.

The University District is a part of the city’s efforts to create a popular and thriving central downtown region. The area will eventually merge with and be touching the Creek District, an effort to preserve and appreciate the natural environment ofSan Marcos.

For example, new developments will be considered pedestrian-oriented. Artwork will be a part of the community identity.

For now, businesses can find more information at the North City website . Students can find more information at thequadsanmarcos.com; and residents may be interested in looking at the University District Specific Plan and the San Marcos Creek Specific Plan at san-marcos.net.