December 10, 2007
Public Bathroom Lands at Madison Square Park
Nine months. That's about how long pregnancies take and that's about how long it took for various agencies to coordinate bringing Manhattan its first new public bathroom. Community Board 5 approved a new, sleek glass-and-silver bathroom from Cemusa to be placed in Madison Square Park back in March and Promediacorp witnessed it being installed this morning.
Of course, back in March, the NY Times reported it would be up and running by the summer, but we know how bureaucracy works (slowly; the deal with Cemusa was finalized in 2005). The toilet is located in the southeastern corner of the park - near Shake Shack - and our big question is how the metal toilets will fare in the cold weather. The next one is expected to be in the Bronx.
And in an odd bit of timing, the Post reports that many newsstand operators who are now in the sleek Cemusa newsstands are "beset by leaks, and complain about waiting weeks for phone-line installations to get their lucrative lottery machines up and running." Not only that, the gate lock deadbolts proved to be powerless against vandals who ended up stealing one newsstand's "cigarettes, lottery tickets, money and phone cards." Cemusa claims that they are aware of the issues and have daily inspections, but the newsstand operators say theirs have never been inspected on a daily basis. Let's just hope the locks on the bathrooms are secure enough for people to do their business without worry.
Photographs from Promediacorp
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That's certainly not Manhattan's first public bathroom. There used to be one down by City Hall, years ago. And there may have been others, as well.
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New homes for the homeless!
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Danielle - you're right, and I've revised it to be "new public bathroom."
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This will be perfect for taking a huge dump after enjoying a Shake Shack meal.
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One of the few positive outcomes of NYC converting to resemble a suburban mall is the choice of in-store restrooms one has in any given area of town.
I would avoid any city sanctioned restroom like the plague...especially one right next to Shake Shack. Come to think of it, I'm repulsed by the idea that Shake Shack will be right next to a public restroom!
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I always thought New York should implement the "pay-per-poo" style public restrooms that you see in London and much of Europe. The restrooms are generally bum and junkie free because of the cost but I would have no problem throwing down 75 cents for a clean facility in an "emergency" when I'm far from my neighborhood. London has them in many of their underground stations.
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Jen - Thanks! And I'm now kinda curious about the history of public bathrooms in the city.
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Paris had those really neat piss roundabouts. Did they get rid of them?
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pay-per-poo!
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Are these just glorified portapotties? What happens the "gifts" people leave behind? Are the "gifts" stored until removed or does the bathroom have a direct connection to the sewer system?
And can I safely smoke crack in there without being bothered?
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Good place for a quickie - provided room permits...
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Are working girls permitted to utilize these for business purposes?
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Relieving one's self is a god given RIGHT that we shouldn't have to pony up for. I welcome my fellow citizens to defecate and piss on the sides of this monstrosity in a show of defiance against the fascist capitalist overlords that run city government
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First one of these i had ever been in was in SF. Apparently after ever shit it drops the floor, fills it with suds, and begins again. I have always thought that that was a waste of water, but I'd rather have chlorlinated shitters than aids infected sputum on the seat.
yeah that was crass, but you're all in agreement with me anyway, so be quiet.
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I hope they (at the very least) hose that thing down daily.
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I wonder if they are safe for people and if it's possible to take a shower in couple...
signature: Cheap cigarette are a pipes with a fire at one end and fools at the other. (cigarettes ban company)