CSUN MarketCenter

* The Valley Edition editorial “A Smart Course for the University” (March 9) is right on the mark. The commentary points out that, given the fiscal challenges facing public universities, CSUN’s partnership with a private developer to create a retail center on unused, unneeded property on campus “makes perfect sense.” As a new source of revenue to help fund CSUN’s academic mission, the project gets at a stark reality--the sharp decline in the university’s share of state funding at a time when more and more students seek admittance.

The editorial also urges CSUN to listen closely to any concerns of the community about the project. We’ve been doing just that. From the beginning, CSUN has provided opportunities for public input, including meetings at which CSUN interviewed potential developers. Over the last several months, representatives of CSUN and the developer have held more than 30 meetings, reaching out to the three nearby homeowner associations, individual residents and community leaders, area chambers of commerce and other business associations. An informational mailing also went out asking thousands of Northridge residents for comments and suggestions.

As a result of this dialogue, several significant elements of the project have been changed or modified. We look forward to continuing these discussions as our goal is to develop a project that meets the needs of both the university and the community.

ARTHUR J. ELBERT,

Vice President, Administration

and Finance, Cal State Northridge

* The Northridge Townhome Estate homeowners sent over 1,500 letters to legislators [and other officials] against Cal State Northridge’s MarketCenter development. The United Chambers of Commerce voted against the project, Associated Students voted against it, and yet the president of CSUN says the community supports it.

It is not an appropriate development of the state-owned land for these reasons:

* The project will require added police and fire protection.

* Our area has empty storefronts.

* The [draft] environmental impact report says the project will add 70,658 gallons of sewage per day to sewer lines and waste-water treatment facilities.

* The project will generate 1,005 tons per year of solid waste, which will contribute to the exhaustion of the life span of the Calabasas landfill.

* It will create more traffic, congestion, noise and air pollution.

The community has not been heard, but ignored, in all the planning of this project. I say no to MarketCenter Development.

CYNTHIA GALLETLY

Northridge