Arizona State Trust Land
DC Ranch Engagement Plan for Arizona State Land Trust – View Here
[Latest Update click here]
What is the Arizona State Land Trust?
The Arizona State Land Department manages approximately 9.2 million acres of State Trust land in Arizona. The lands were granted to the State under the provisions of the Federal Enabling Act that provided for Arizona’s statehood in 1912. The lands are held in trust and managed for the sole purpose of generating revenues for the 13 State Trust land beneficiaries, the largest of which is Arizona’s K-12 education.
All State Trust Land transactions must be in accordance with the State’s mandate, to assure the highest and best use of the land, and to act in the best interest of the Trust.
The sale and development of State Land is often a long and slow process, taking from two to ten years. The purchasing process is initiated by an application, completed by the applicant and filed with the Arizona State Land Department. Submission of an application does not guarantee the land will go to auction for sale.
Once the land is sold, the owner must work through the City of Scottsdale’s planning process.
Several large and small swaths of State Land are located near DC Ranch, to include but not limited to land along the east and west side of Pima Road south of Legacy Boulevard and near the 101. There are currently applications filed for the land on the east side of Pima Road from Trailside View to Bell Road.
Prior to any auction taking place, the State Land Department staff has stated they will conduct an engineering study to define needed flood control on this parcel.
How can residents engage?
DC Ranch residents are encouraged to attend public meetings as scheduled for State Land; we will update residents regarding these opportunities as any public process unfolds.
Residents may contact the State Land Department with questions: inquiry@azland.gov and learn more about the Department on their website: https://land.az.gov/
How will DC Ranch be involved?
The DC Ranch Community Council will monitor and participate in various meetings and conversations with the State Land and City of Scottsdale Planning Departments, land developers, planning consultants and other relevant groups to evaluate factors that may impact the community such as safety, view shed, traffic, etc. If deemed appropriate, the Community Council may develop a position on behalf of the DC Ranch community-at-large.
Latest Updates
July 2024
On June 4, 75 acres at the SW corner of the Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road sold for its a minimum bid of $28M to an LLC which lists Anne O’Moore as agent. She is an attorney for YAM, Bob Parson’s company, but it is unclear if YAM is behind this purchase.
The Arizona State Land Dept. (ASLD) cancelled the June 27 auction for the 110 acres the former Coyotes’ owner hoped to buy. ASLD stated they wanted Mr. Meruelo to get the needed zoning change prior to auction. Mr. Meruelo responded by saying he was no longer interested in the land.
June 2024
State land along the Loop 101 in north Scottsdale has been in high demand for the last several years. Many large parcels have been sold, including the recently built Nationwide development and the soon to start construction Mack Innovation Park on the southeast corner of Pima Road and the Loop 101. Banner Health and HonorHealth have also purchased state land parcels near Hayden Road and the Loop 101.
On June 4, the state of Arizona held an auction for 75 acres on the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101. It sold for its minimum bid of $28M to an LLC that lists Anne O’Moore as its agent.
The 110 acres of state land the former Coyotes’ owner hopes to buy will go to auction on June 27. Located at the northwest corner of Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101, it is 110 acres with a minimum bid of $68.5M.
April 2022
A large parcel of Arizona State Trust Land adjacent to DC Ranch’s southern border was sold by auction on March 7. The Mack Company paid $125 Million for 124 acres of State Trust Land that runs from Trailside View to Bell Road, see blue on map. Mack is a real estate developer based out of New York but has a local presence. The land is currently zoned I-1 which is industrial/office use and includes warehousing.
Jan. 10, 2022
The Arizona State Land Department has set a March 7 auction date for 125 acres of state land near DC Ranch. Click here to view auction flyer with map. The land is “L” shaped and runs along the 101 freeway and Pima Road. On the north it is bordered by Trailside View and on the south by Bell Road. The eastern boundaries abut the DC Ranch Neighborhood Park, DC Ranch Corporate Center, and the Bell Road Sports Complex. The minimum bid is $58.5 million. Bidders are not required to provide their plans for the land; however, all development will be subject to approvals by the City of Scottsdale.
Dec. 30, 2020
The City of Scottsdale was successful in purchasing two parcels of State Land near WestWorld. The City plans to continue to use the parcel near Bell and 96th Street for overflow WestWorld parking. The other parcel near Thompson Peak Parkway will be used for Bond Project 53 – Build Multi-Use Sports Fields in the Area of Bell Road. Securing this parcel allows the City to build five of the seven lighted sports fields. The City needs to purchase adjacent land from private owners to fit the additional two fields funded in the Bond.
Dec. 22, 2020
Two parcels of State Trust Land near WestWorld are scheduled for auction on Dec. 28. The City of Scottsdale is expected to bid on both parcels. If successful, the parcel near Bell and 96th Street would continue to be used for overflow WestWorld parking; the city has been using the land for several years with the State Trust Land Department’s permission. The other parcel near Thompson Peak Parkway would be used for Bond Project 53 – Build Multi-Use Sports Fields in the Area of Bell Road. The five to seven lighted sports fields would also be used for parking during Barret Jackson, Phoenix Open and other large events – the same as the City’s Bell Road Sports Complex that is currently being developed at 94th Street and Bell Road.
Sept. 10, 2020
The Arizona State Land Department sold 74 acres of State Trust Land in Scottsdale near Hayden Road and the Loop 101. The successful bidder was Axon Enterprise, with a winning bid of $49.1 Million, exceeding full appraised market value by more than $17 Million.
Aug. 27, 2020
On Sept. 10, approximately 73 acres of Arizona State Trust Land, located at the southwest corner of Hayden Road and Loop 101, will go to auction. The minimum bid is $31.7 million. The land is across the freeway from Cavasson, a multi-use development currently under construction by Nationwide. Axon, formerly Taser International, has expressed an interest in purchasing the land. To date, no auction date has been set for the State Land south of DC Ranch, on the east side of Pima Road from Trailside View to Bell Road, see map.
April 2020
The Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) has shared that state land near DC Ranch may go to auction soon. The land is on the east side of Pima Road from Trailside View to Bell Road, see map. The Community Council is monitoring this process and will engage on behalf of the DC Ranch community-at-large at the appropriate time; and will inform residents of any community meetings that may be scheduled.
Nov. 25, 2019
The State Land Department has completed its engineering study on the state land that lies directly south of DC Ranch along the east side of Pima Road, south of Legacy Boulevard and near the 101 (see map). The applicant is now conducting due diligence. Next, the applicant can request an appraisal or step away. If the appraisal price is approved by the State Land Board of Appeals, the land can then go up for auction.
The Community Council is monitoring this process and will engage on behalf of the DC Ranch community-at-large at the appropriate time; and will inform residents of any community meetings that may be scheduled.
July 15, 2019
The State Land Department has indicated that the engineering study on State Land located south of DC Ranch will be finalized in August (see map). When the study is complete the department will determine their next steps, which could include putting the land up for auction.
March 30, 2019
The State Land Department is in the process of issuing a Request For Proposals (RFP) for an engineering study on State Land located south of DC Ranch (see map). The study will be completed prior to the state setting an auction for the sale of the land.