The problem
A former community center asset still had public value, but needed a partner model for operations, staffing, utilities, and programming.
Partnership storiesShared by Portland Parks - being confirmed
Service continuity
Sellwood Community House keeps a public-serving asset active
A community nonprofit helps keep neighborhood programming and facility use alive where the City does not directly operate the same level of service.
OperationsUtilitiesStaffingProgrammingService continuity
Public benefit
Community-serving space stays active, local programming continues, and the asset remains part of Portland's civic infrastructure.
Why it matters
This is the clearest example of the asset-value story: a public asset can create more benefit when a well-structured partner carries real operating responsibility.