The city of Austin is considering several options for building public, 24-hour restrooms downtown or near The University of Texas campus that could help improve water quality and serve residents of various demographics, according to city staff.
Outdoor toilets could help reduce bacteria in the four city watersheds. Elevated bacteria levels pose a potential health risk to swimmers, according to a January City Council resolution directing staff to study the issue.
“Strategically located, 24-hour restrooms could provide a benefit to families with young children, seniors, bikers, runners, homeless people, and late-night crowds who enter the streets when the bars close,” the January resolution read.
Although there are public restrooms located on city parkland near downtown, parks are officially closed at night, and those restrooms are not intended to be used 24/7, City Engineer David Magaña said.
City staff presented a preliminary report May 24 that outlined several examples of free, public restrooms—including the Portland Loo, a public restroom concept pioneered in Portland, Oregon, and utilized in Texas cities such as San Antonio and Galveston. The Portland Loo features slats at the top and bottom of the structure, so security personnel or attendants can ensure individuals are not conducting inappropriate activity in the restroom, Magaña said.
More research and stakeholder meetings will be conducted to determine the best location for the restrooms should the city opt for a more permanent structure than the prefabricated Portland Loo, staff said.
District 9 Council Member Kathie Tovo said she would like to see the project move forward soon.
“[This is] both a health issue as well as one of human dignity, and it will serve a variety of users,” Tovo said.
