Under the auspices of the Institute for Sustainable Solutions (ISS) at Portland State, Professors Randy Bluffstone and Sahan Dissanayake and Economics graduate student Jake Kennedy are helping Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) conduct public value analyses of recreational infrastructure, focusing on community recreation centers.
Starting with a pilot titled Public Value Analysis for Recreational Infrastructure, IEE is supporting PP&R as it explores Public Value Analysis (PVA) and monetized triple-bottom line (3BL) in analyzing its services to the community. Using secondary data, combined with assumptions detailed in a final report, the project estimated significant total benefits from the services provided by Matt Dishman Community Center (MDCC), located in Northeast Portland. Using two approaches, PSU estimated that MDCC generated $50 - $270 million in present value. Assumptions about annual discount rates (2.5% versus 7%) were the most important factor determining present value ranges. The project estimated that in 2019 MDCC generated value of $3.5 - $6.8 million. Differences were largely driven by the research method used (market-based versus elasticity-based).
In the current phase of the project, which is titled Public Value Analysis of Recreational Infrastructure: Estimating the Full Value with a Focus on Historically Marginalized Groups, ISS and IEE are utilizing a consultative process that will allow PP&R to refine its PVA and 3BL estimates. The project will develop research methodologies to estimate the monetary-equivalent public and private benefits Portland residents receive from community centers. PSU will also assist PP&R to estimate community center usage by socio-demographic group.