New Yorkers are finally going places.
Seventeen state-of-the art new public bathrooms will be open for business soon in neighborhoods across the city under a pilot project designed to bring relief to people in their time of need.
“Too many New Yorkers know what it’s like to have nowhere to go while they’re on the go,” Mayor Mamdani said while announcing the installation of the new facilities Wednesday.
“This pilot is about making sure New Yorkers can count on a clean, safe, accessible bathroom when they need one. We are going to learn from this pilot and build a public bathroom network that meets the needs of New Yorkers in every borough.”
Each bathroom will be free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mamdani said.
The fully touchless units will be compliant with the American Disabilities Act, and will include a comfortable interior, a running-water sink, a flushing toilet, climate control and a baby-changing station.
The $4 million pilot program will run for one year, with installation scheduled to begin this week.
The self-contained units do not require connections to water, sewer or power infrastructure, allowing them to be deployed, relocated or removed as community needs change, according to city officials.
The modular, solar-powered units will be installed and maintained by Throne Labs, which has put up public restrooms in downtown areas and parks and transit stations in Los Angeles, Michigan, Seattle, Atlanta and the San Francisco Bay Area.
When the urge strikes, New Yorkers will be able to enter the bathrooms by text message or QR code through the Throne Bathroom Network app, or with a tap card distributed by local community partners.
The app will also allow users to find the nearest bathroom, check real-time cleanliness ratings and see whether a unit is available.
Though the upscale port-a-potties will provide some relief, it’s still just a drop in the bucket, according to city officials, who said there is currently only one public bathroom available for every 8,500 New Yorkers.
The new loos will be located in each of the five boroughs:
Bronx: Yankee Stadium, Admiral Farragut Playground, Mapes Park and Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square.
Brooklyn: Columbus Park, Milestone Park, Fulton St. and Truxton St., and Avenue C Plaza.
Queens: Astoria Boulevard South and 31st St., Northern Boulevard and 31st St., Northern Boulevard and 54th St., and 34th Ave. and 64th St.
Manhattan: Cooper Square, Malcolm X Plaza, Delancey St. and Suffolk St., and Plaza Alianza Dominicana
Staten Island: North Shore Esplanade
“Beginning this month, we are installing 17 modular public toilets in high-traffic areas across the five boroughs, 17 formerly bathroom-less areas that will soon become New York City’s No. 1 place to go No. 2,” Mamadani said, “or No. 1. You don’t have to tell me or anyone at City Hall.”