Managing State Trust Lands Fiduciary Duty in the Changing West

Publications

Superstition Vistas

On the eastern edge of Phoenix, Arizona is a 275-square-mile tract of undeveloped state trust land known as Superstition Vistas. As one of the largest pieces of land under single ownership in any metropolitan area, and in the path of the fast-developing "Sun Corridor" between Phoenix and Tucson, Superstition Vistas presents an unparalleled opportunity for the state of Arizona to envision and shape its future.

Thoughtful and well-planned development of this land could yield billions of dollars for public education in Arizona, preserve important scenic and ecological areas unique to the state, and provide a model for the healthy and efficient future development of all of Arizona's state trust lands.

The Sonoran Institute/Lincoln Institute of Land Policy State Trust Lands Project, in collaboration with Salt River Project, Pinal County, Town of Queen Creek, City of Apache Junction, City of Mesa, and Central Arizona Project with support from East Valley Partnership and the Arizona State Land Department asked Arizona State University's Morrison Institute for Public Policy to think about the urban development of Superstition Vistas in new and exciting ways.

This report sets the stage for a continuing dialogue about the potential for Superstition Vistas and all of Arizona's trust lands with three conceptual scenarios that illustrate how today's choices will impact tomorrow's results.

Download the full report [3.4 MB]

For supporting research papers on critical factors and constraints to the development of Superstition Vistas, including water supply, demographic and population projections, real estate development trends, and key social and economic issues, go to the Morrison Institute for Public Policy.