Parks director outlines transit center and Andrews Park restroom problems, safety concerns and possible temporary solutions

Jay Solson, director of Parks and Recreation, told the City of Norman oversight committee Aug. 14 that the transit center and Andrews Park restrooms have experienced repeated infrastructure failures, public-safety hazards and vandalism that prompted long-term planning and short-term mitigation.

Solson said the transit center (opened Oct. 2023) has needed sewer repairs, grinder pumps and toilet replacements because older pipes and items flushed into fixtures caused frequent clogs and flooding. He said a handicap door actuator problem recently closed the lobby for about a week and a half but was repaired and the transit center lobby and restroom are now open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to coincide with third-party security coverage. Solson said the sewer line connected to the building will eventually need replacement as part of a capital project.

On Andrews Park, Solson described a history of vandalism and human-health hazards that prompted permanent closure of the park building restrooms in May 2022. He listed repeated incidents including an apparent explosive device that ignited and set fire to the restroom, arson, people defecating on floors and smearing waste on walls, needles found inside the building and repeated barricading of stall doors. Solson said the restrooms are small, not ADA-compliant and have poor line of sight from the park (meaning users or employees cannot see activity around the facility), which created safety issues for both the public and staff.

"We had an explosive device. It was placed in there that, if somebody was in the bathroom when that went off, they would have died," Solson told the committee, adding that the combination of public-safety incidents and sanitation hazards led staff to close the building permanently.

Solson gave the committee an inventory of park restroom infrastructure and noted several parks either already have restrooms or have restroom projects funded or in planning (for example, Saxon Park, Griffin Park, Rees Park and others). He said a restroom planned at Rees Park came in almost $120,000 over budget in a previous design and required a redesign.

For Andrews Park, Solson recommended evaluating demolition and replacement of the existing restrooms in the near term and discussed how future master-plan improvements (approved by council in early 2023) include relocating restrooms, adding three ADA-compliant facilities and addressing stormwater detention. He and council members discussed salvaging stone from the existing structure for reuse in future park work.

As potential interim or alternative solutions, Solson presented several options: a QR-controlled access system for public restrooms (displayed as technology that issues temporary access codes and provides usage alerts and maintenance reporting), the Portland Loo (a commercially available, public restroom structure), restroom trailers and mobile toilets with solar power and on-board waste collection. He said the QR systems can report lengthy occupation times, notify staff when supplies are low and provide cleanliness feedback; Solson suggested these systems could reduce vandalism and identify incidents quickly. He said costs vary widely (examples presented ranged from roughly $200,000–$250,000 for a delivered Portland Loo plus an estimated $50,000 for water/sewer hookups, but Solson said the team had not yet obtained firm vendor quotes).

Council members discussed siting and phasing. Mayor Holman and other council members suggested advancing stormwater detention and relocation work so a permanent restroom could be built near the skate park and be visible and active. Councilmember Gainsberry urged demolition and removal of the closed Andrews structure to improve sight lines immediately; Solson said demolition and site clearance could begin administratively and that staff would attempt to salvage workable stone for reuse. Staff estimated some master-plan elements would be eligible for internal work (dirt-moving, initial detention excavation) to advance the project and reduce future construction costs, though specialized stormwater design remains required.

Solson recommended a pilot or follow-up item to return with firm costs and vendor information for QR-enabled units and mobile restroom options; council directed staff to place a follow-up report on a future agenda in the next 30–60 days. Solson also recommended improved signage to inform park users which public restrooms are available (examples: library, City Hall, police station) while Andrews facilities remain closed. The presentation included photos of clogged porta-potty vacuuming blockages, needles found on site and poor lines of sight that contributed to staff safety concerns.

No formal vote was taken; the presentation generated direction to pursue follow-up cost information, signage and potential demolition steps for Andrews Park.