I often tell people I got a job downtown just so I’d have a place to go to the bathroom. That’s not a complete exaggeration.
Anyone who has been downtown knows the challenge of finding a public-friendly bathroom. Most businesses have signs that say “For Customer Use Only” or offer no facilities at all. (After seeing what gets left behind, I can’t say I blame them.) There are a few public-friendly places, like Powell’s Books or the Multnomah County Library. Bless them.
The city does have a few public restrooms. There are stand-alone facilities in the park between the Justice Center and the Multnomah County Courthouse. The men’s building looks old, but isn’t really. Some time back it was rebuilt after the outhouse in the same spot was leveled by a bomb, which solved a lot of problems. Back then, a visit to the necessary room was often supervised by nervously giggling guys in raincoats. (All together now: Eww!) I use the new and improved one frequently, and have yet to run into anything objectionable. It is kept clean.
I spoke with a Clean & Safe officer the other day about the situation. He told me that some toilets, like the one at SW 8th & Ankeny, are crime magnets. Others, like the one mentioned above, are not. One that draws a lot of attention and commentary is the new Portland Loo, installed between NW 5th and 6th on Glisan Street. In the area and curious, I decided to take it for a, ahem, test drive.
The line was five-deep when I arrived. A nice gentleman offered to sell me a pair of shoes. I asked how long the wait usually was, and the nice lady who was first in line sighed and said, “It takes as long as it takes.” When I pulled out a camera to take a picture, everyone moved away. I did too, deciding I didn’t want to make them wait any longer. I had other options.
Part of the design of the new loo supposedly allows you to see under, just enough to tell if it’s occupied or not. I couldn’t tell, and felt creepy staring at the grate. But I *was* curious, especially after what the Clean & Safe officer told me. Seems that some shelter-challenged types have a system. A lady recently flagged him down and showed him inside the loo, where someone had strategically placed a pair of shoes and pants, to look like someone was, shall we say, tapering one off? Presumably to keep their covered area while they ran to obtain more cerebral amusements. Points for creativity…
So, as the parade approaches, the city will have Honey Buckets scattered all over downtown. But what about the rest of the time? Downtowners have their secret spots, and I’m giving up no secrets of my own. I don’t want my picture in the next issue of Busted! for indecent exposure and offensive littering…
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I can’t tell you how many times, of an evening or weekend, that I’ve been grateful for having access to my downtown office building for a clean, safe bathroom.
It’s come in handy during bar-hopping, shopping trips, farmers market excursions, bike rides downtown, you name it! We need more clean public restrooms, absolutely.
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