Paying for participatory events in Portland

Helen Jung in Sunday’s Oregonian reports on the cost to city taxpayers of events in public spaces requiring crowd/traffic control, like the Portland Marathon and Bridge Pedal. She notes that these popular events pay a fraction of the cost of overtime for City staff providing services. And while many of them have a worthy cause for which a portion of participant entrance fees act as a fundraiser, in many cases the event is a for-profit business and the charitable component relatively small.

The Portland Marathon and the Bridge Pedal both pay $2,300 to the City, and receive services costing $34,000 and $27,000 respectively.

My father’s run the Portland Marathon many times, and my son Luke’s done the Bridge Pedal. When weaving my way across town on the morning of this year’s Bridge Pedal, thanking my experience from my campaign for knowing so many more short-cuts and back routes than before it, I was happy to see so many people participating. These events help build community. They are part of why Portland is a fun place for people of all ages to live.

But what is the appropriate balance, in who pays for them? What is the value to the city and citizens in general? How much profit should organizers expect to make, compared with costs to taxpayers? If we put a dollar figure on fun, community spirit, and wholesome activities for families, is it $30,000 for a morning? Or more, or less?