"Monetize, not privatize"

A great line from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel that impacts all cities everywhere, especially in the United States.  Three words in the context of public infrastructure that are central to our urban renewal - - invest, sell, or lease.  Chicago has sold off the Chicago Skyway bridge and leased the city's parking meters for 75-years.  But Emanuel wants to see the "invest" word more - - how do you maintain city management of city assets by finding new revenue streams?  As quoted in The Atlantic this month, Meet The New Boss by Jonathan Alter - -

The idea is to "monetize, not privatize," he {Emanuel} says.  "I don't have to sell something as the only way to monetize its value."

He has started with the Water Department.  Rahm will nearly double water rates, to $3.82 per 1,000 gallons.  Engineers will play a key role in this process - - the monetization of public assets.