Urban Bathrooms, European Style

[Steve]

Ultimately, downtown has a lot of needs, wants and desires with limited funds to make them happen.  Outside of Hemming Plaza and an occassional pocket park or two, I don't know if the need for such a contraption should become a higher priority over things like lighting or wayfaring signage.

Completely agree.  Right now this administration can't seem to light the sidewalks, so I REALLY don't trust them to pull this off right.

[Downtown Dweller]

I think the point is that we are so used to designing for criminals and homeless people that we have stopped designing for Downtown Dweller and her two children.

Bathrooms are a pretty necessary element for human use, and if we want the downtown to work, we have got to begin designing for the end user's comfort and enjoyment.

The alternative is to continue with the present situation:  Downtown Dweller cant find a bathroom for the kids on weekends, and the homeless are shitting all over the landscape.

I couldn't have said it better myself 

[estate4]

Actually that first pic isn't a joke. That would be a public urinal from Amsterdam. Surprise there? It's just a different mentality there that when you have to go, just go here instead of in the gutter. I'm not saying we should install that kind of thing here. The pay-per-pottie is the way to go.

[Driven1]

design for whoever you'd like...the homeless will still screw it up.

you think hemming plaza was 'designed' for the homeless??

how about the new beauty of a pocket park on main st??  

but guess who could care less about WHO something was DESIGNED for??

ps - is profanity allowed on these boards??

[thelakelander]

I think the point is that we are so used to designing for criminals and homeless people that we have stopped designing for Downtown Dweller and her two children.

Bathrooms are a pretty necessary element for human use, and if we want the downtown to work, we have got to begin designing for the end user's comfort and enjoyment.

The alternative is to continue with the present situation:  Downtown Dweller cant find a bathroom for the kids on weekends, and the homeless are shitting all over the landscape.

Other cities have had the same problems over the years.  This is one of the solutions that addresses all the same concerns that Jacksonville has.

Outside of Hemming Plaza, because its a public space without restroom facilities, I don't think there's a huge need for them.  There's restrooms around, but most aren't aware of where they are located.  Outside of Hemming Plaza, this is something that can be resolved with downtown directory signage, something DVI should have installed years ago.

[thelakelander]

I don't think we need to litter downtown's streets with Port-a-pottys.  In a regional mall, you'll probably have two public bathroom facilities spread out over the mall's length.  In Regency's case, if placed downtown, that length would stretch from the Northbank Riverwalk to Union Street.  We already have a public restroom facility on the riverwalk.  It seems the true area of need is Hemming Plaza.  Address Hemming and throw it on a (sidewalk directory) map, so people know where public restrooms are at and this whole subject dies a quick death.

[thelakelander]

Bay Street would be solved if public restroom facilities are provided at the public pier currently under construction, next to Berkman.  Any idea of how much these things cost?

[Steve]

I don't think we need to litter downtown's streets with Port-a-pottys.  In a regional mall, you'll probably have two public bathroom facilities spread out over the mall's length.  In Regency's case, if placed downtown, that length would stretch from the Northbank Riverwalk to Union Street.  We already have a public restroom facility on the riverwalk.  It seems the true area of need is Hemming Plaza.  Address Hemming and throw it on a (sidewalk directory) map, so people know where public restrooms are at and this whole subject dies a quick death.

I also trust the mall to provide security for the restrooms, more than I trust COJ

[thelakelander]

What makes these things awesome, I think, is the open bottoms.  Anyone can see whether or not there is something inappropriate happening or someone sleeping in them.  Its such a simple solution, that I really wonder why the modification wasnt immediately made in the 70s.

That's what I don't like about them.  People here in America like privacy, as opposed to the world seeing you sit on a toilet for an extended amount of time, then come out of the stall in the middle of a public sidewalk.  Personally, I think public restrooms are best if constructed adjacent to main pedestrian walkways and public recreational spaces like they are on the Northbank Riverwalk.

[thelakelander]

But there's a middle ground.  That's public restroom facilities that aren't in the middle of the street.  We have a few already.  Most just don't know where they're at.  This can be solved with public directories.

[Jimmy]

But there's a middle ground.  That's public restroom facilities that aren't in the middle of the street.  We have a few already.  Most just don't know where they're at.  This can be solved with public directories.

Exactly right.  We've been bemoaning the lack of good signage and wayfinding directories forever.  There are solutions to these problems that don't involve a whole new effort, which won't get funded and will never work.

Why aren't these articles signed any more?  I think the author should appear in a by-line.

[Jimmy]

It helps me to get a sense of the rhetoric when I know who writes it.  That's the extent of my interest.  The content here, with few exceptions, has always been thoughtful and thought-provoking.  Thanks!

[Johnny]

The pay to pee option sounds compelling for those of us that may have to use the restroom and have some decency. But, it doesn't solve a major issue mentioned in the story. The homeless are not going to pay to pee or poo when there is a perfectly good sidewalk in front of La Cena.

[thelakelander]

Position and signage are important, but even more important is re-instituting the public amenities.

The point I was trying to make is that, excluding Hemming, we already have these amenities.  Sure we could use more, but its not like nothing exists and we don't need to have them on every block or even every three, four or five.  Signage would solve this situation, imo.  On top of that, there's restrooms in the library and the Landing.  Security (vagrants aside) won't turn you away from using those facilities if you have to.  Some decent wayfaring signage and pedestrian directories would go along way to solving this perceived problem as well as many others we deal with today.

[thelakelander]

The pay to pee option sounds compelling for those of us that may have to use the restroom and have some decency. But, it doesn't solve a major issue mentioned in the story. The homeless are not going to pay to pee or poo when there is a perfectly good sidewalk in front of La Cena.

I not sold on designing downtown for the homeless.  Its already a homeless epicenter of urban vibrancy and street life.  Even if facilities are free, that doesn't mean we'll eliminate the guy who wants to relieve himself in front of La Cena.