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Council presses EDC on $4M modular bathroom rollout and capital vs. expense classification
Summary
EDC told Council members that $4 million in the preliminary plan funds a one‑year contract to deploy modular public bathrooms citywide; the agency said the units are expense‑funded because they are movable and therefore not capital eligible, and that site selection will be done with DOT and Parks.
The Council questioned the Economic Development Corporation about a $4 million line item in the fiscal 2027 preliminary plan for modular public bathrooms. "We put out that RFP. We're currently in the selection process with DOT and Parks as the bathrooms will be on their sites," Jeannie Pac said, adding that the procurement was intended to bring more public restrooms across the five boroughs.
Members asked why the modular units were listed as expense rather than capital funding; EDC said modular bathrooms are considered movable and therefore do not meet strict capital‑eligibility rules. "Modular bathrooms actually don't are not capital eligible," Pac said. "So they needed to use CTL. The $4 million was allocated in the preliminary budget." (Transcript language paraphrased for clarity.)
Council members pressed for details such as the expected cost per unit and how many units $4 million would buy; EDC said the selection process is ongoing and that the $4 million covers multiple bathrooms under a one‑year contract, and that Parks and DOT will be engaged on location decisions and potential repairs to capital‑eligible facilities. Several members asked that EDC coordinate with community groups to prioritize neighborhoods with the greatest need and to provide the committee with an itemized deployment plan.
EDC acknowledged existing capital projects to repair long‑term restroom infrastructure (parks and DOT responsibilities) and said it will provide the committee with more granular procurement and siting information once selection is completed.
