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Committee advances $349,450 agreement with Madden Fabrication for two Portland‑style public restrooms
Summary
A committee voted to place a resolution on the May 6 agenda to authorize a $349,450 agreement with Madden Fabrication for two self‑contained public restroom units funded by ARPA; members and Downtown Inc. discussed siting, maintenance, safety features and installation costs.
A York City committee on April 23 voted to place a resolution on the May 6 legislative agenda that would authorize an agreement with Madden Fabrication for $349,450 to purchase two Portland‑style public restrooms, paid from ARPA funds.
Sarah O’Brien of Downtown Inc. told the committee the units are replicas of the Portland loo and that the city allocated ARPA funds to buy two units. O’Brien said one unit will be placed across from First Capital in the Lafayette parking lot near the History Center and the other in Penn Park next to the basketball court. She described amenities that distinguish the units from a standard portable toilet: slatted top and bottom for visibility, a rear access door for maintenance, blue‑light technology aimed at deterring intravenous drug use and ADA accessibility with a changing table.
Council members asked who would clean the units and how they would be insured and winterized. O’Brien said Downtown Inc. priced expanding ABM cleaning but found it more cost effective for city crews to handle cleaning; a city representative said custodians and parks maintenance staff will monitor the restrooms on a daily cleaning schedule. A city staff member said the units will fall under the city’s property insurance for damage and that winterization requires plumbing hookups to York Water and PA American Water plus electric for lighting and cold‑weather plumbing protection. The committee was also told there will be a phone number posted on the units for service calls.
A committee member asked about a security “blue light” or emergency call option. O’Brien said the city would explore options given the units’ proximity to the rail trail and downtown patrols. O’Brien invited the public to a ribbon‑cutting once installation is complete.
A committee member asked where the ARPA allocation of $500,000 referenced in committee materials went; a city official said the $349,450 is the purchase cost and the remaining $150,550 will cover installation, utility connections, electrical, and winterization.
After questions and public comment, a committee member moved to place the resolution on the May 6 legislative agenda; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee forwarded the item for full council consideration; it did not authorize final contract execution at this meeting.
