Title
Discussion of Options for Public Restrooms
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Review information on public restrooms in downtown Olympia and consider options for a six (6) month pilot project
Report
Issue:
What are the best options for public restrooms in downtown Olympia to keep downtown safe and welcoming for all?
Staff Contact:
Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager, Community Planning & Development,
360.753.8183
Paul Simmons, Director, Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
In recent years, the need for public restrooms in Olympia's downtown has become more acute. Business leaders from the Parking Business Improvement Area (PBIA) and the Olympia Downtown Association (ODA) described this need as their second priority (following a downtown police walking patrol) in an emailed letter dated November 2015 ("Attachment # 1 Business Leaders' Letter on Public Restrooms"). This letter clarifies the need as two-fold; public restrooms are needed for 1) visitor restrooms for visitors who otherwise place heavy pressure on individual businesses to make their restrooms available; and 2) late night restrooms are critically needed to accommodate bar patrons and street-dependent people who otherwise might defecate and urinate in the alleys, stoops and other areas. In addition to business leaders, many homeless advocates and service providers echo the need for restrooms that are available 24 hours a day/seven (7) days a week to serve street dependent people who have no other resources after business hours.
The letter and subsequent staff research identified the current listing of public restrooms and their hours of operation. (Attachment #2 "Olympia Existing Downtown Restroom Options & Availability") These public restrooms can be summarized as being available during daylight hours. Staff also explored the potential availability of res...
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