David J. Hatem, PC led a discussion focusing on the risks for design professionals associated with the public-private approach. Public-Private Partnerships operate by definition, only in the Public Sector construction project context, and primarily utilizes the Design-Build Delivery Method. To date, Public-Private Partnerships have been legislatively authorized by 23 states. In October 2008, Governor Paterson established an eleven-member New York State Commission on State Asset Maximization to study potential Public-Private Partnerships for the State of New York. Even in periods of economic distress, PPPs offer an opportunity for the State to more effectively make long-term capital investments.

Public-Private Partnerships pose both opportunities and risks for design professionals. In these challenging economic times, more states are aggressively investigating the potential for PPPs and the Federal Government is encouraging PPPs for federally-funded transportation projects. This session also addressed the impact of the federal stimulus legislation on PPPs.