Cleveland finally gets public bathrooms downtown
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The "Portland Loos" at Canal Basin Park. Photos: Sam Allard/Axios
Cleveland is finally getting something it has long lacked: free public restrooms downtown.
Why it matters: "In order for our downtown public spaces to be places where everyone wants to spend time and come visit, they have to be able to accommodate the human needs we all have," Abby Henry, a strategic projects manager in Mayor Justin Bibb's office, tells Axios.
- "Public restrooms are not just a convenience — they are a basic right and a necessity that we all share."
Driving the news: Two "Portland Loo" restrooms were recently installed at Canal Basin Park in the Flats as part of an ongoing renovation.
- The freestanding steel units, designed by the city of Portland, are built for durability, accessibility and safety, with open-air features that deter vandalism and misuse.
Flashback: The community development corporation Campus District Inc. acquired the Loos for about $150,000 per unit in 2021, with a grant from the Cleveland Foundation.
- It donated three units to the city of Cleveland, with two headed to Canal Basin Park and a third to Perk Plaza.
State of play: The Canal Basin restrooms are installed, but not yet open.
- Henry tells Axios the city is planning a "soft launch" to gauge usage before setting regular hours aligned with park operations.
- Maintenance is expected to cost about $1,600 per month per structure.