Cal State San Marcos will get the use of a classroom building and a new parking lot at the Joan Sparkman Alternative Education Center under an agreement expected to be approved by the Temecula school board Tuesday.

The college will pay the district $1 per year for a 10-year lease and be responsible for utility costs and cleaning of the facility.

Temecula Valley Unified School District Trustee Bob Brown said it's a good deal for all concerned.

"It's all for the kids," Brown said. "We're excited."

To pay for the project, the city's Redevelopment Agency will spend up to $3 million for renovations that will include carving out lab space in the building and expanding the campus' southern parking lot.

"It's an absolute investment for the community," said Temecula Mayor Maryann Edwards, who serves on the board of directors for the redevelopment agency.

The college, school district and city are partners in the deal, which was announced last month, pending approval by all entities.

The lease gives the college use of a building with 12 classrooms and temporary use of two portable classrooms. The college also will have access to athletic fields and basketball courts.

CSUSM will use 14,395 square feet of the 66,083-square-foot facility, allowing the university to expand its offerings in Southwest County.

The plan is for the university to move into the facility by summer.

Initially, the space will be used to expand the college's nursing program, which is currently being offered in classrooms at Cal State San Marcos at Temecula at the Paul Goldring Garrett Institute for Higher Learning, a business complex on Tierra Alta Way.

There is a waiting list to enter the program, officials said.

"I think it's only the beginning for Cal State San Marcos," Brown said. "They can only grow from that."

Temecula officials have been attempting to lure a university to the area for years. Plans with a private developer to build a facility to be used by multiple schools fell through in 2007.

City officials are hoping to duplicate the success of Cal State San Marcos, which was founded in 1989.

"That's the way universities are started," Edwards said, alluding to how the San Marcos campus began as an extension of San Diego State University before becoming one of 23 campuses in the California State University system. "I think that's a foreshadowing of what's to come."

The facility, located near the intersection of Margarita Road and Temecula Parkway, formerly was home to Joan Sparkman Elementary School, which closed in June due to shrinking enrollment and to help save costs by eliminating some salaries.

Temecula's alternative education programs, including continuation and independent study high schools, moved to the campus this fall.

Call staff writer Craig Shultz at 951-676-4315, ext. 2625.

CORRECTION: Agency chair misidentified

Maryann Edwards role' with Temecula's Redevelopment Agency was misstated. Edwards is on the board of directors for the agency.

We apologize.