Title
Approval to Restore the Percival West Public Restroom to Seasonal Operating Hours and Close the Olympia/Franklin Portable Restroom
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee recommends the restoration of seasonal operating hours of the Percival West public restroom and the closure of Olympia/Franklin portable restroom located at the corner of Olympia Ave and Franklin Street
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the restoration of seasonal operating hours of the Percival West public restroom and the closure of Olympia/Franklin portable restroom located at the corner of Olympia Ave and Franklin Street
Report
Issue:
Whether to authorize staff to proceed with the reinstatement of seasonal operating hours at the Percival West public restroom and the removal of the Olympia/Franklin portable restroom located at the corner of Olympia St and Franklin Avenue
Staff Contact:
Mark Rentfrow, Downtown Liaison, CP&D, 360.570.3798
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In 2016, the City Council embarked on a public restroom pilot program to address the impacts of human waste on city streets. The pilot intended to study the potential for reduction of human waste and consider restrooms for all, specifically for people who are street dependent as well as visitors. The pilot project was to test the viability of 24-hour public restrooms in five locations (See attached map). The 24-hour restroom conversion at Percival West, as well as the portable restroom located in the Olympia/Franklin lot near the corner of Olympia St and Franklin Ave, are part of the City’s Downtown Restrooms pilot program.
On February 15, 2018, City staff updated the Land Use and Environment Committee on the results of the restroom pilots and status of a Sanitation Master Plan that will make recommendations for the future siting of permanent restrooms. The plan is still being drafted with help from a consultant, and Council will receive a briefing on the final recommendations later this year. One of the elements of the plan is a list of best practices for siting, operating and designing restrooms, which are derived from other cities and Olympia’s experience (See attached chart)
Public restrooms are commonly susceptible to abuse, and these best practices intend to curb or mitigate negative behaviors so that clean, safe restrooms can be maintained for all. The attachment highlights where best practices were employed in each of the five pilot projects. Similar to the Fertile Grounds portable, which was removed last year due to extensive abuse, the portable at the Olympia/Franklin location employs few best practice characteristics and is experiencing similar levels of misuse.
Conditions at Percival West and the Olympia/Franklin Lot
The Land Use and Environment Committee was briefed on the conditions at Percival West and the Olympia/Franklin Lot. When compared to the best practices, these two restrooms are located in less active places, and are not sufficiently designed for 24-hour permanent use. Regularly recorded misuse of these restrooms presents unsafe conditions for our community, including:
• Drug dealing and drug using
• Prostitution
• Graffiti
• Vandalism
• Unsanitary conditions occurring on an almost daily/nightly basis despite a cleaning schedule (trash, biohazard deposits - vomit, feces, spit, blood)
For this reason, the Percival West restroom was closed in January until further notice. The Olympia/Franklin portable restroom continues to attract negative behaviors that affect customers who pay to park at the Olympia/Franklin lot. It also generates a significant amount of trash and debris inside and outside the space.
The Land Use and Environment Committee has recommended that the City Council move to return the Percival West restroom to its normal operating schedule (completely closed in the winter, open the rest of the year from dawn to dusk) and remove the portable restroom located in the Olympia/Franklin lot.
Staff will return to the City Council later this year with a recommended Sanitation Master Plan for public restrooms that incorporate what we have learned about best practices for location, operation and design of these facilities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
1. Move to approve the restoration of seasonal operating hours of the Percival West public restroom and the closure of Olympia/Franklin portable restroom located at the corner of Olympia Ave and Franklin Street
2. Do not approve the Committee recommendation at this time and maintain current status quo
Financial Impact:
Under current conditions, the annual cost of continuing to operate and maintain the:
• Percival West restroom is $80,600
• Olympia/Franklin portable restroom is $29,100
Attachments:
Restroom map
Best Practices Chart