Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (SID), in partnership with the City of Columbus (City), installed three permanent public restrooms in downtown on September 20. 

The restrooms are located at the northwest corner of High and Long Streets, the northeast corner of 3rd and Broad Streets, and the southwest corner of High and Lynn Streets. The City is partnering with the SID to install and maintain three public restrooms to foster vibrancy, safety, and cleanliness downtown.

“We’re proud to offer this amenity to promote the safety and cleanliness of our downtown,” said Michael Stevens, Director of Development for the City of Columbus. “These facilities are for commuters, joggers, festivalgoers, and families. Everyone in our downtown will benefit from this new amenity.”

“Easy access to public restrooms has always been challenging for visitors, bus riders, people experiencing homelessness and others in the downtown,” said Lisa Defendiefer, deputy director of Operations for the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District. “In addition to providing comfort and convenience, these public restrooms will benefit public health by mitigating the spread of communicable diseases.”

“We extend our appreciation and gratitude to Capital Crossroads and the City of Columbus for the foresight in pushing ahead to ensure our City has available, accessible, sanitary and user-friendly downtown public restrooms,” said Sandy Stephenson, project director with Southeast Healthcare and trustee with the Capital Crossroads SID Board. “No longer will visitors, parents with kids that ‘have to go right now,’ bus riders and people who are unsheltered have no good options when a public restroom is needed. These restrooms are a signal of respect for people’s needs and will improve our image of having a welcoming downtown.”

Portland Loo model

The City and SID selected the Portland Loo for the downtown restrooms because the stainless-steel units are attractive, durable, easy to clean and maintain and offer a host of safety features. There will be no charge to use them.

Other Details

The City is contracting with the SID to clean and maintain the facilities. The SID will clean the restrooms several times daily, seven days a week. The cleaning schedule will be adjusted for variations in use according to season and during special events. Complete General Construction is installing the restrooms with EMH&T as the project engineer.

Budget

The overall budget for the three downtown restrooms is $2 million, which includes purchase of the three Portland Loos, installation, engineering, permitting and other costs. The cost of the project is covered entirely by federal grants.

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