Board of Natural Resources Approves Spokane County Land Exchange

News Date:

January 8, 2025

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The state Board of Natural Resources has approved a land exchange to increase revenue for K-12 education funding and provide new housing options in Spokane County.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) property is in the Latah Valley near Thorpe Road. Revenue from the land is dedicated to funding K-12 education; however, the property is currently not producing revenue consistent with long-term funding.

Approval by the Board will facilitate an exchange of the Thorpe Road property with Blue Fern Management, LLC, which intends to build parks, public spaces, and housing units at the site. The development process will also address infrastructure issues such as roads and fire access. In return, DNR will receive income-generating property in Bellingham, including existing commercial buildings and parking space. The exchanged property of 4.12 acres would generate much-needed revenue for the Common School Trust.

"This exchange is an excellent example of how state lands can be used to meet critical housing needs," said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. "We need to use every tool to ensure Washingtonians can access housing. This exchange also ensures stable and continuous funding for our local schools."

The Department of Natural Resources has over 3,000 acres of residential "transition" land - empty lots, vacant plots, and open lands - in and around cities across the state. These plots do not generate any revenue for DNR's trust beneficiaries because they are surrounded by other developed land. Commissioner Franz believes that opening these lands to housing will drive down costs for homeowners and increase the supply of much-needed housing.

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