If all goes according to plan, high-tech washrooms could be available at River Mill Park as early as late spring 2023.
It’s a good news story, director of operations and protective services, Tarmo Uukkivi, told Huntsville Council at its September meeting. He said further investigation into a washroom kit, discovered by council members at this year’s AMO conference, revealed that the washroom could be delivered already built and ready to go.
“Basically we do the site prep, put a concrete pad down, and draw the services in there, and then a crane lifts the actual washroom prebuilt right on the pad, and it gets installed that way,” said Uukkivi. He said through further investigation staff discovered that there are two companies that make similar washrooms, and staff have asked for a quote to compare the two.
A letter from the Downtown BIA has requested that there be at least two washrooms. He said staff is checking to see if a two-washroom configuration exists with the second company.
“The washroom is really interesting. It’s high technology. It’s self-cleaning. It has germ protection on it that’s sprayed annually. It’s monitored remotely. You can lock it remotely, unlock it remotely. Basically, if anybody’s in there doing untoward things you can tell them in 15 minutes it’s about to wash itself and sanitize, get out now. This is kind of a modern masterpiece.”
Councillor Brian Thompson questioned whether two washrooms would really be necessary given that those who hold special events at the park tend to bring rented porta potties.
Uukkivi clarified that one of the companies does have one unit which consists of two washrooms although staff were still investigating whether the other company had the same configuration. He said according to photos on the other company’s website, it appeared that a unit only consisted of one washroom.
Asked whether the two washroom unit would cost more, Uukkivi said it would still come in within the $300,000, referring to the amount donated privately to the Town from an undisclosed source for washrooms at River Mill Park.
Council passed a resolution authorizing staff to proceed with the purchase of a self-contained washroom with two units at a cost not to exceed $300,000. plus applicable taxes, pending the execution of the donor agreement.
Related stories:
Washroom idea for River Mill Park to be brought before council
Mystery donor has offered the Town $300,000 to build permanent washrooms at River Mill Park
Huntsville council considers repurposing the Kent Park kiosk for a washroom at River Mill Park
Vandals strike Town’s public washrooms again
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“monitored remotely. You can lock it remotely, unlock it remotely. Basically, if anybody’s in there doing untoward things you can tell them in 15 minutes it’s about to wash itself and sanitize, get out now”
Will this be a new position (in the video monitor chair, with microphone) at Town Hall? I see by the graphic these are French toilettes, so let’s hope visitors will have some facility with language*
(*joking)
It is a good idea to have public washroom(s) in the park, regardless of tech level.
I’ve used similar in other parts of the world
Two concerns
1. Freezing lines
2. Security – alarm inside for distress and outside camera for vandalism
Also – Consider providing outside water tap for community use – nice touch as public water supply.
Two washrooms forthcoming at River Mill Park is wonderful news! For those who follow The Star, Toronto (who professes to be progressive) is SEVERELY lacking in public washroom facilities. There was an article about it yesterday (Monday) and Sunday.
I don’t get it; do planners/developers (whatever they’re called) simply seem to not understand or consider, that all humans need (free) easily accessible washroom facilities. Is it a money saving thing?
From experience traveling through the States, there are a number of washrooms available along the route; thank you. From experience traveling throughout Europe – Paris, France is quite a different story! Toilets are few and far between in the places we’ve visited in France.
However, we’ve found that many places in Europe and beyond do have public toilets but in some, you have to pay. And, we relied upon our amazing tour director to tell us where they are located. Good luck if you don’t have .50 Euro or a kind washroom attendant to let you have access if you don’t have the coinage. BTW: Israel has washrooms (free) everywhere.
Lack of accessible washrooms was a huge problem for truckers and other travellers early pandemic when accessibility was minimal to nil. Inhumane! That too, was brought to light in The Star.
Providing many public washrooms in a city, town, or en route is a no brainer, to me.