Firm Wants Payment For Fort Missoula Land

A Missoula development company wants the state Board of Regents to pay $847,000 for land the company bought from the University of Montana Foundation in 1993 for $450,000.

Bob Brugh, a spokesman for Divot Development, said the increase - contained in a written proposal to the board - covers expenses it has incurred since the purchase.

Earlier this month, the Montana attorney general’s office said the University of Montana and the regents illegally gave the 83-acre Fort Missoula tract to the UM Foundation, which then ignored state law in selling the land to Divot.

Attorney General Joe Mazurek said the state Land Board should sue anyone claiming ownership unless the university system can get an agreement for return of the land by Sept. 18.

Brugh said Divot is willing to sell the land back, but wants to be reimbursed for its costs. He said that includes mortage interest payments, architectural fees, engineering expenses, advertising, mapping, a feasibility report, accountants, taxes, insurance and various legal fees.