The simple truth is that scaffolding commandeers a public good for private purpose. Developers may say scaffolding protects pedestrians, but it’s really there t

The simple truth is that scaffolding commandeers a public good for private purpose. Developers may say scaffolding protects pedestrians, but it’s really there to protect the construction firm from liability. And what does the public get in exchange for the usurpation of its property? Nothing. The greatest cost is erecting the scaffolding and taking it down. It stays up until there’s no chance it will be needed again, because capitalism. The solution, obviously, is to charge rent. The scaffolder should pay a monthly fee for the privilege of using the sidewalk. Moreover, that rent should double periodically, perhaps every 90 days. At some point, we’d see scaffolding removed because it’s uneconomical to leave in place.