PORT ANGELES – The City of Port Angeles is pleased to announce the installation of three Portland Loo restroom facilities in downtown Port Angeles. The facilities will officially open on Monday, December 12th, and will provide residents and visitors with accessible public restrooms that remain open beyond standard operating hours.
Recently installed at the Gateway Transit Center (1) and Breezeway Parking Lot (2) areas, these restrooms will be free to use and open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Port Angeles City Council approved the purchase of the Portland Loos in May 2022. To determine suitable locations, City staff worked with Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human (PHLUSH), a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring equitable public restroom availability.
“Over the years and especially during the pandemic, we have seen an increased need for 24-hour restrooms, particularly in the downtown corridor,” said Parks & Recreation Director Corey Delikat. “The Portland Loos help to address this need, not only providing function, but they are also great from a maintenance perspective.”
The Portland Loo single occupant restroom design is ADA-compliant and uses Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, principles to discourage illegal activities. Each restroom is protected with an anti-graffiti clear coat and includes stainless steel toilets and wall panels for durability and easy cleaning.
Additional amenities include angled louvers for visual privacy, a skylight, baby changing station, and recessed handwashing station with air dryer, tempered water and soap dispenser. The facilities, which will be maintained by the Parks & Recreation Department, are functional year-round. Unlike many existing concrete block restrooms in Port Angeles, the Portland Loos will not require winterization during the cold months.
The cost of the project, including the prefabricated restrooms, construction and infrastructure work, totals $729,544.36. Funding was budgeted in the City’s Capital Facilities & Transportation Improvement Plan under PK0120 (24-Hour Restroom Pilot Project) and PK0205 (Restroom Replacement Program).
(City of Port Angeles photos)