It was only three years ago that infrastructure funds were raising record amounts of capital, but not anymore. Instead, with their confidence shaken by a crisis and bad investment returns, many institutional investors are seeking greater control over their money, and alternatives to funds, such as direct investments and co-investments, are gaining favor.

Public-private partnerships (P3) and other types of public to private transactions have been highly touted models for developing and managing infrastructure in the United States. And in the midst of severe government budget constraints, teaming up with the private sector for infrastructure projects is gaining wider acceptance.

Inland Public Properties Development (IPPD) is a 100 percent owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, a public non-traded REIT. Institutional Investing in Infrastructure senior editor Drew Campbell spoke with IPPD president and CEO, Charles Jones, about the company’s social infrastructure strategy and its recent charter schools transaction with Imagine Schools.