Scott Beyer argues that more compact, vertically-oriented cities, like Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington D.C., should sell the air rights above public projects.
"Nowadays whenever cities build a central library, to name one example, they usually construct a single-use facility that is only a few stories tall, if that," explains Scott Beyer.
"But what if, before such libraries were built, the air rights -- the undeveloped space above the roofline -- were deregulated and sold off? In expensive and vertically inclined U.S. cities, private developers would pay governments enormous sums for the right to build a high-rise apartment complex or business space above public projects."
The reach of benefits derived from the selling of air rights would reach far beyond single parcels, according to Beyer, and achieve a "broad maximization of public land values, and thus to enormous cash windfalls for local governments."
Beyer cites Boston and New York (Planetizen notes that Atlanta has been making news in recent months for plans to sell air rights above MARTA stations) as cities that sell air rights while acknowledging that most U.S. cities do not: "Walk through any city and you’ll find countless examples of where modestly sized government buildings have been plopped down onto prime real estate. In Seattle, for example, substantial public money has recently gone toward a new library, City Hall and renovated convention center, none of which exceed a dozen stories in an otherwise vertical downtown."
As for why more cities don't make better use of air rights, Beyer lists culprits as zoning regulations, NIMBY opposition, and philosophical barriers within governments.
FULL STORY: Why Don't More Cities Sell Air Rights?

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service