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What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of being involved in a public-private partnership?

We may potentially be a JV partner with a U.S. developer on a large municipal project. We have never been involved with a project that directly involves a U.S. municipality. We have heard that these projects can sometimes move slower because of the public component. There is another deal that we are looking at so we are interested in learning what the advantages and disadvantages of being involved in a public-private partnership?


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  • SPC Advisors, LLC
    March 30, 2018

    I have been involved in a number of public private deals on both coasts. I have to concur with your comment that public private projects can move more slowly, depending on the eagerness of the public entity to get the job done and the layers of entities which may be involved. On the other hand, you may be able to get at least some relief, possibly in the form of payments in lieu of taxes and tax exempt bond financings. You need to work with a sophisticated advisor. There are deals to be made- but you need to be aware of the negatives as well as the positives.