Land use and development are complex issues rooted in ecology and environmental science as well as in politics and economics. This complexity lends itself to a problem-based learning (PBL) lesson for environmental science students. In the lesson described in this article, students investigated developing a city-owned, 13-acre site where a shopping mall had been demolished, leaving open land and a parking lot. This project allowed students to explore environmental science concepts and use science and engineering practices and communication skills. While students acknowledged that the process of considering multiple perspectives and devising a comprehensive plan was more challenging than they anticipated, all groups presented a final land use that was supported with evidence.