Market Urbanism

Liberalizing cities | From the bottom up

“Market Urbanism” refers to the synthesis of classical liberal economics and ethics (market), with an appreciation of the urban way of life and its benefits to society (urbanism). We advocate for the emergence of bottom up solutions to urban issues, as opposed to ones imposed from the top down.

Private Streets in Brooklyn?

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This isn’t some crazy proposal, they have been private since the 20’s and 30’s. It seems there are advantages and disadvantages. You don’t have to worry about street parking when you own the street, but you have to hire your own contractor to make repairs. My main concern is that those homeowners are still paying taxes, but not benefiting from public services. From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle – Community Board 10 Meeting Sparks New Effort to Solve Cul-de-sac Problems:

The 19 private unmapped streets in Bay Ridge are now a public matter as nearly a hundred residents of these cul-de-sac havens came together at a Community Board 10 meeting to learn how they can get city services that they pay for in taxes but don’t get.

It would be interesting to see what would happen with more private streets.

  • I wonder if there are zoning or other building regulations for the street? Because if there are, then it’s not a truly private street.

  • I wonder if there are zoning or other building regulations for the street? Because if there are, then it’s not a truly private street.

  • True. I believe there still is zoning. I intend to investigate further…

  • True. I believe there still is zoning. I intend to investigate further…

  • Bill Nelson

    Three points:

    1. You are *not supposed to* benefit from taxes. The idea behind most taxes is to take from some and give to others.

    2. We already have private streets all over NYC, the suburbs, and everywhere else. They are called “driveways”, “parking lots”, and “garages”. And I doubt that any sane homeowner or building-owner would actually want their private streets maintained by those “city services”. Unless, of course, if someone else is picking up the tab — which seems to be the case here.

    3. If the people in Bay Ridge actually get those city services, my guess is that it would only increase the NYC budget — and expand the role of government. These people should concentrate their efforts on reducing their tax bill instead of getting “freebies”.

  • Bill Nelson

    Three points:

    1. You are *not supposed to* benefit from taxes. The idea behind most taxes is to take from some and give to others.

    2. We already have private streets all over NYC, the suburbs, and everywhere else. They are called “driveways”, “parking lots”, and “garages”. And I doubt that any sane homeowner or building-owner would actually want their private streets maintained by those “city services”. Unless, of course, if someone else is picking up the tab — which seems to be the case here.

    3. If the people in Bay Ridge actually get those city services, my guess is that it would only increase the NYC budget — and expand the role of government. These people should concentrate their efforts on reducing their tax bill instead of getting “freebies”.

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