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A young girl and her grandfather enjoy an afternoon downtown while the girl’s parents are busy at work. Suddenly, the girl says with a worried look and crossed legs: “Grandpa, I gotta go!” He holds her hand and scans the area, realizing as he stands up that he’s also “gotta go.” But where? The park doesn’t have a porta-potty, the mall is several blocks away, and finding a store with a restroom will mean buying something — if they have a restroom at all.
Where can they go? Where would you go?
We support the “Anchorage Goes” proposal; Proposition 8, the areawide public restroom bond before Anchorage voters during the upcoming April 2 Regular Municipal Election. This proposal addresses the critical need for public restrooms across the Municipality to serve residents and visitors of all ages, with careful attention to cleanliness, safety, accessibility and cost-effectiveness.
The proposed bond package ($5 million total) would enable the Muni to competitively purchase, deploy and — most importantly, maintain — approximately 10 to 15 public restrooms throughout Anchorage for the next 20 years. These restrooms (one example brand is the renowned “Portland Loo”) will be constructed of heavy-gauge steel. These durable, easy-to-clean units will stand up to heavy use, and are resistant to vandalism and defacement.
Why not keep contracting for more port-a-potties? The Municipality has relied on this service in parks and other public spaces, but these units aren’t suited to permanent, year-round use. Currently, Anchorage spends more than $450,000 annually on portable bathrooms, which are increasingly challenging to maintain and service. The contractors we work with are less and less interested in working with the Municipality because of the abuse of their property. Unlike plastic portable toilets, bathrooms purchased under this proposal will offer a more robust, long-lasting and sanitary solution for our community in high-traffic public places.
Safety is paramount: These facilities have features such as ground- and ceiling-level openings for visibility, motion-sensor blue lights to deter illicit activities, and utilitarian design that discourages lingering. The units are engineered to work even in cold climates, with units being used now from Boston to western Canada. The units must be plumbed and include a small heating element to keep water flowing in the coldest part of winter, as well as handwashing and bottle-filling fountain features.
It’s essential to emphasize these public restrooms are designed to accommodate everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. Whether it’s a mother with a toddler, an elderly individual exploring downtown, a tourist from out of state, a homeless individual or someone with mobility challenges, these facilities are intended to serve the entire community.
Where will these units go? The Municipality has already begun a study to identify locations that best serve the community, from busy streets downtown to popular parks and trailheads in areas like Chugiak and Girdwood. Through collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Department and other partners, a comprehensive survey is currently being conducted to determine optimal locations for these units, to inform any future decision about restroom placement.
And, why the high cost? The answer is simple: The bond proposal finances not only buying these units in Year 1 but also ensuring a generation’s worth of maintenance to keep them in good order. The proposed $5 million includes both purchase and installation costs, and also estimated annual upkeep of $30,000 per unit for 20 years of maintenance (mostly for regular cleanings) to ensure their continued safety and functionality. From neglected public restroom buildings years ago to the legacy of Project 80s deferred maintenance, the community has learned from our mistakes. Unlike in the past, this will make a smart investment in public infrastructure with funding for maintenance.
As Anchorage residents participate in the ongoing vote-from-home election, we urge them to support this practical proposal. Ballots were mailed March 12, and it’s essential for voters to make their voices heard by returning their ballots no later than 8 p.m. on April 2.
Christopher Constant (District 1), Meg Zaletel (District 4), and Anna Brawley (District 3) serve on the Anchorage Assembly and are cosponsors of Proposition 8.
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