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Council members press administration for public restrooms downtown as tourism rises
Summary
Councilman Callahan urged the administration to prioritize public restrooms downtown, citing the new parking garage construction and World Heritage designation; staff said options under discussion include visitor center access, portable toilets and a possible garage restroom but noted cost and maintenance concerns.
Councilman Callahan urged the City of Bethlehem on Jan. 13 to identify public restrooms for Main Street visitors and residents, saying the city's increasing tourism and the new parking garage under construction make restroom access urgent.
"There's no public bathroom in the downtown on Main Street," Councilman Callahan said during the meeting. He suggested locating a modest public facility near the parking authority's new garage and asked staff to speak with the parking authority and public works about options.
Laura Collins, director of Community and Economic Development, and other city officials said the city historically directed visitors to the Main Street visitor center during its operating hours but acknowledged that a 24-hour public restroom does not exist downtown. Collins and other staff noted several challenges, including ongoing maintenance, security and operating costs. Collins said she would check on options and follow up.
Council members cited three possible approaches discussed in committee and in prior public meetings: 1) retrofitting a restroom into new construction (the parking garage) if a change order is feasible, 2) temporary portable toilets or nonpermanent structures as used on the Greenway during events, and 3) formal agreements with private businesses or the visitor center to expand public access during set hours.
Councilwoman Leon noted that the Southside Arts District temporarily kept porta-potties open during a Greenway concert series, at a reported cost of about $100 per week, and suggested a pilot test before building permanent facilities. Councilwoman Kwiatak supported public restrooms while noting funding, upkeep and security concerns. City staff said any permanent solution would require coordination among Community and Economic Development, Public Works and the parking authority.
Ending: Council members asked staff to continue exploring options and to follow up with specific cost and siting information.
