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Committee advances $349,450 agreement for two Portland Loo-style public toilets funded by ARPA
Summary
The committee advanced a resolution to contract Madden Fabrication for two Portland Loo-style public restrooms (unit cost and features described); ARPA funds cover the purchase and staff said installation and utility hookup will add roughly $150,005.50.
A York City committee on April 23 voted to place on the May 6 legislative agenda a resolution authorizing an agreement with Madden Fabrication for $349,450 to purchase two Portland Loo-style public restrooms, with installation and utility hookups identified separately.
Sarah O'Brien of Downtown Inc. presented the units and said the city received ARPA funding to purchase two replicas of the Portland loo to be sited in high-visibility public locations: one across from First Capital in the Lafayette parking lot (near the History Center) and the other in Penn Park next to the basketball court. "Public restrooms are really important for moms with families," O'Brien said. "They're ADA accessible, and they have a changing table."
O'Brien described several design features brought from Portland's model: slatted top and bottom for visibility; a front door for public access and a rear access door locked for maintenance or emergency entry; and blue-light fixtures intended to deter intravenous drug use and other antisocial behaviors. She said siting in public right-of-way visibility also aids police monitoring. "These were actually designed and created by the city of Portland to address the series of issues that they were having with their public restrooms downtown," O'Brien said.
Committee members asked about operations and liability. Staff and Dave, who oversees parks/custodial operations, said cleaning will be handled by city crews on a daily rotation and confirmed the units will be covered under the city's property-insurance program. Kim, the business administrator, explained that the ARPA allocation is $500,000 and the purchase contract is $349,450; the remaining roughly $150,005.50 will pay for installation, water and wastewater hookups (York Water and PA American Water) and electrical work for lighting and winterization. "Installation," Kim said when asked about the remaining funds. Staff also said they will investigate whether to add an emergency-call device near the units.
The committee advanced the resolution to the May 6 legislative agenda by voice vote.
