Re: Palo Alto, CA votes to install public pay-tiolets downtown
Bonnie Briggs (s248_1132@hotmail.com)
Sat, 09 May 1998 14:02:01 PDT
>FWD May 5, 1998 San Francisco Chronicle - Page A16
>
>
> WHEN NATURE CALLS, PALO ALTO MAY HAVE AN ANSWER
>
> Carolyne Zinko, Chronicle Staff Writer
>
>
> One of the crueler signs in civilization reads: ``Bathrooms for
>Customer Use ONLY.''
>
> But Palo Alto may soon introduce cutting-edge technology toilets
for
>its downtown visitors who have no place to go.
>
> The City Council unanimously voted last night to begin
negotiations
>with JCDecaux, the maker of French self-cleaning commodes, for
installation
>of two public toilets downtown.
>
> A familiar sight in Europe, the kiosk-like loos are growing in
>popularity in the Bay Area. San Francisco has 20, San Jose has signed
up
>for seven, and Berkeley is considering installing some on bustling
>Telegraph Avenue.
>
> In Palo Alto, the toilets are intended to serve the needs of
>increasing numbers of visitors to the chic downtown, as well as those
of
>the homeless.
>
> At a cost of $61,500 each for installation and annual
maintenance,
>the lavatories are not cheap.
>
> But they are coin-operated, self-cleaning and designed to be
>accessible to the disabled. They're also open 24 hours a day.
<Big snip>
Bonnie Briggs
Hi gang,
This is a great idea. I've seen pay toilets during my travels to the
States. this will certainly aid the situation for tourists and parents
with kids. However, I have one small question. What happens if the
homeless person needs to use it, but doesn't have the money? Will they
be forced to squirm under the door? If a homeless person can't afford a
cup of coffee, they will certainly not be able to afford to pay for a
toilet. Just a thought.
Bonnie
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com