The City of Tomball awarded a job order proposal for the construction of the 1,619-square-foot Depot Restroom Building to the construction company, KBR, at a May 6 city council meeting. Construction is expected to last 60 days.

A demand for permanent restrooms at the Historic Tomball Depot Plaza has become more pronounced with the increase of city-wide events that use the area, said David Kaufman, Tomball's director of public works.

"I think it's something that people will appreciate," he said. "As of now, we have to bring in portable bathrooms for those big events. Having a permanent fixture will benefit both the city and the event goers in those situations."

Construction was set for a price not to exceed $183,000. The project will be funded through the City, Tomball Economic Development Corporation and the Houston-Galveston Area Council. The project will also be paid for in part with money saved on other public works projects that came in under budget.

The restrooms will include a women's, men's and family facility with a changing table. They will be built with hardy plank brick and rock to structurally mimic the aesthetics of the depot. The restrooms will be located near the plaza's splash pad.