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Council approves Lionsford Square Park restroom amid debate over site, cost and aesthetics
Summary
Council authorized a contract for a new restroom at Lionsford Square Park, with discussion centering on the chosen location, whether to incorporate the library, aesthetic treatments and how to stay within available bond funds.
The Clinton City Council voted Dec. 10 to award a contract for a standalone restroom at Lionsford Square Park, a $165,000–range project councilors and staff said is intended to serve regular events such as the farmer’s market.
Council debate and key points Council members and staff discussed two competing ideas: building the restroom at the proposed site near utilities for a shorter plumbing run, or trying to integrate restrooms into the library building. Josh Shakers, Parks and Recreation staff, explained why the selected site was chosen: “this particular area has water to it. The electrical panels are right where they’re at, plus optically, it blends into the alleyway.” He added the site was preferred by the LBPA and noted proximity to the farmer’s market and other events.
Library director Susan Mesiker told the council the library building no longer functions as a circulating library: “the library building is actually just the Friends Book Store and a meeting space now. So it's not actually functioning as a…circulating library.” That factored into concerns about whether integrating restrooms with the library would be feasible.
Council member Sealy said her recorded “no” vote was not opposition to public restrooms generally but rather because she wanted to explore additional options: “my vote isn't because I don't support restroom facilities at Lionsford Square Park. It's because I have some other things in my head that I'd like to explore.” Among those were whether the restroom could be made to tie into existing library improvements or the band shell refurbishment to improve aesthetics.
Funding and cost management Staff and councilors discussed FY24 general obligation bond funds (cited at $145,000) and potential reallocation of savings from the airport driveway bid, which staff said came in under budget by “about 11 and a half” thousand dollars. Council members discussed design simplifications and in-house design work as ways to bring the project closer to available funds. Council members referenced an estimate in the meeting discussion in the neighborhood of $165,000 for the restroom.
Design and operation details - Construction: staff described the restroom as a masonry/painted-stone façade intended to blend with nearby facades; staff said they intend to paint the band shell and the restroom similarly to create a coherent streetscape. - Winterization and hours: staff said park restrooms are typically winterized in mid-October; the new restroom will be programmed to lock automatically (roughly 6 a.m. to sunset by default) and can be kept open longer for events.
Vote and next steps Council member Detterman moved the resolution to accept the bid and award the contract. The motion passed on roll call; Council member Sealy recorded a “no” vote, and the remainder of the council voted to approve. Staff will proceed with contract administration and coordinate facade treatment and event-hour programming with Parks and the library/market stakeholders.
Why it matters The restroom is intended to support year-round and event-driven use of Lionsford Square Park. Council debate highlighted common municipal trade-offs: proximity to utilities and lower construction cost versus broader aesthetic integration with adjacent civic facilities.
