EVERETT — A pair of prefabricated public bathrooms are set to be purchased and installed on city-owned property in Everett.
The only public restrooms in downtown are in the Everett Public Library and Everett Municipal Building, and those are open only during business hours.
The proposed $315,000 purchase is part of the city’s spending plan for nearly $20.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act money. Installation is not covered and will be determined through another contract.
The sidewalk single stall restrooms from Roseburg, Oregon-based company Romtec would go near the Cope Gillette Theatre at 2730 Wetmore Ave., and at the EverPark Garage at 2815 Hoyt Ave.
The Everett City Council will consider approving the purchase Wednesday.
“There is an urgent community need for public restrooms in the downtown area,” according to the staff report.
The metal restrooms are “vandalism resistant” and the most maintenance-friendly option, per the staff report.
They are accessible for people who use wheelchairs and designed to fit on sidewalks. Their dimensions are 5 feet, 10 inches wide; 9 feet, 10 inches long; and 8 feet tall.
Mayor Cassie Franklin and city leaders see it as a way to bolster one of the city’s retail and tourism cores. Giving visitors a bathroom is one seemingly simple option.
Kirkland, Seattle and Shoreline have similar restrooms, called The Portland Loo.
City staff are considering adding public restrooms at Clark Park at 2400 Lombard Ave., and the Everett Municipal Building parking lot on Wetmore between Hewitt Avenue and Wall Street.
Ben Watanabe: 425-339-3037; bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @benwatanabe.
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