Posted on 07/15/2007 7:32:14 PM PDT by TornadoAlley3
If you're in downtown Portland after business hours and you have to use a restroom -- come on over to the Mayor's place.
Now, as part of the Mayor's Street Access for Everyone, known as SAFE, the first floor of City Hall's restrooms will be open overnight.
Mayor Tom Potter said the program will increase downtown livability.
"What we're trying to do is make it better not only for homeless people but for all people in Portland," said Mayor Potter.
The new hours, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. are expected to be in place by August second. Currently, City Hall restrooms are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The additional hours will increase the City's public restroom capacity during hours when no other public restrooms are available.
The cost of additional hours and security is more than $46,000 for a six-month trial period.
"This is another example of City Hall flushing their tax dollars away," said Jason Williams, Director of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon.
Williams said the program will make Portland a desirable place for homeless people. He thinks it will increase the city's homeless population.
"What homeless people need is shelter and assistance," said Williams, "What they don't need is taxpayer funded luxury toilets in the middle of City Hall."
Mayor Potter does not think the toilets will attract more homeless to Portland.
"Will that encourage them to say, 'Gosh that's a nice bathroom. I'm going to stay here a few more months?' That does not make sense to me," said Mayor Potter.
Mayor Potter said the city will evaluate the program after six months. He said if the toilets are not being used overnight or if they are blamed for generating problems downtown, the city will no longer offer its round-the-clock restroom service.
The SAFE initiative also includes providing day shelters for the homeless during hours when most shelters providing services are closed.
Maybe if they leave a can of Ajax and some sponges they will find the place all cleaned up in the morning.
I can just imagine what the place will look like in the morning.
I smell “homeless people”.
No, seriously... the last time I went to a public toilet in a government building I immediately smelled “homeless person”. Sure enough, they were in the stalls, chillin and doing whatever. I mean, can’t they stay at the State Library, like the other homeless? JUST KIDDING (gotta say that for the KOS people).
I figure that they will start to look like the public bathrooms in Mexico soon too. Uh, I have to wonder what makes people not try to defecate anywhere near a toilet, much less in it?
Finally, there should be one devoted to the fans of George Michael, who will find the bathrooms to be a great place to meet people.
Truly a case study in the way bureaucrats use their head to solve problems...
“We give you enough s**t that we thought it was only fair to offer you the opportunity to return the favor.”
.........but never fear there was a sign with an arrow outside the info building that said, "Night Ladies Toilet". I took a picture of it---too priceless not to! Everyone says that I should send it into Leno.
They are going to have such a mess. I guess a couple of outhouses on the corner was out of the question?
Does that price include security for these toilets? What about the lawsuits when someone is mugged or raped in there. Not to mention the damage after a few days. This will be a homeless magnet.
It’s all about the FEEEEEEEELING donchaknow.
Its going to be lots more than that by the time the vandals are done with it.
Just the plumbing bill alone will probably take most of that.
How would you like to be the lucky SOB of a public servant who lands that restroom attendant job??
Towel, Sir?...
What they will need is prison grade fixtures. Those things are about indestructible, but horrendously expensive.
Oh sure....I’d rather crap my pants than go in there at midnight....
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