7-12-2007

In May of this year, the Portland City Council voted for a safe streets initiative . . . it included day programs for the homeless, benches and other facilities . . . it also came with a sidewalk blocking ordinance.

A month later, the City Council voted to put that initiative on hold, temporarily, until certain facilities could be implemented. Showers and lockers for the homeless . . . as well as a public bathroom open 24/7.

After weighing multiple options including local parks and parking garages, the Mayor's Office landed on City Hall.

Reps from Tom Potter's office say a proposal is on its way to City Council to try opening the doors to the first floor of City Hall 24/7 so anyone can use the bathroom at any time for a trial period of six months. The pilot program would determine traffic, usage, additional costs and so forth (they can't be sure at this point how much use the area will get). Presumably, if all goes well, the program would become permanent.

Initial estimates speculate it will cost about an extra $46,000 over six months to open the bathrooms 24/7. That money is NOT budgeted for, but I am told they can move money from another fund that is CURRENTLY being used to install benches and open other public facilities to cover the cost.

The people I spoke with say this is a much safer option than other facilities because the security around City Hall would discourage the unsavory behaviors typically associated with public bathrooms such as drug use or prostitution.

Reps from the Mayor's office tell me the wheels are already in motion for the proposal to take effect . . . likely a thumbs up or down vote by City Council will come within a week and the facility could be running all day everyday within two weeks.