Challenges & Opportunities

Real Estate Development

Rapid growth in many parts of the West is generating new opportunities for state trust land managers to participate in the development of land for commercial, residential and industrial uses. A number of innovative tools and practices are being employed by these managers and others to determine appropriate development uses for these lands, including disposition planning tools, joint ventures or participation agreements, patient capital, regional or large-scale planning and Superstition Vistas.

Model projects for real estate planning and development on state trust lands include the Houghton Area Master Plan, Whitefish Planning Process and Superstition Vistas. Other efforts are attempting to modernize state trust land management systems for improved conservation use on trust lands.