New Public Toilet to Be Unveiled‏ in Portland

"The Portland Loos are meant to be a unique solution to a universal problem."- Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard

The first flush happens Monday, December 8th 2008 Image: City of Portland

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard will unveil the first of a new line of public toilets called Portland Loos on Monday, December 8th 2008 at 11:00 AM.

The first Loo will be installed adjacent to the Greyhound Bus Station on NW 6th Avenue in Portland's Old Town.

City officials say Old Town is fraught with large homeless populations and late night bars and clubs.

The city has long sought a cost-effective solution for providing these populations with a safe and sanitary, 24-hour per day bathroom.

Leonard intends for the Loos to be that solution.

Eventually, the city hopes to install Loos in other high-need areas similar to Old Town.

The design of the Loo is intended to deter illicit activity. Louvers at the top and bottom of the structure maintain internal privacy.

The louvers are angled, however, to provide law enforcement the opportunity to observe the number of feet in the unit.

"The Portland Loos are meant to be a unique solution to a universal problem." said Leonard.

"You can't deny your basic human needs just because you can't find a proper toilet."

Leanord continued by saying, "Everyone should have somewhere to take care of business with a little privacy and a little dignity, whether that person is homeless, the mother of three or simply leaving a bar at 2:00 in the morning."

The future installation and marketing of Portland Loos will be coordinated by the Portland Water Bureau, a bureau that Leonard oversees.

For more information, visit portlandonline.com/water/loo