New DC Public Restroom Initiative

BACKGROUND

When it  became apparent in the  Spring of 2023, that the two public restroom pilots provided for under Law 22-280 was not going to be (see DC Public Restroom Law 22-280 for more detail).  Councilmember Nadeau, who was inspired by your research was responsible for this law, decided she was not to be deterred.

In her capacity as Chair of the Committee on Public Works she reached out to Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and convinced him to set aside $410,000 to finance a one year public restroom pilot. The outcome was Act 25-172 of the FY 2024 BSA (Budget Support Act) under which standalone public restrooms were to be installed in five areas around  Washington DC.  In September 2024 the pilot was extended another year (to September 30, 2025) adding another $490,000 ($410.000 from the DPW budget and $90 transferred from the Committee on Transportation and Environment).

 The wording in Act 25-172  instructs the DC Government to collect the following data to be used to inform a decision regarding whether the pilots will be continued and the program expanded to other locations in DC: 

  • Public restroom facility usage by date and time
  • Incidents of misuse or vandalism; 
  • How facilities are accessed; 
  • Cleanliness;
  • User experience.

 In early February, 2024 Throne Labs was awarded a contract to install Thrones in/near specified 5 locations. 

Between February and April, Throne Labs reached out to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), community organizations, and various District agencies to reach agreement on the five locations:

Between April and June, Thrones were installed at five locations: 

  • Dupont Circle NW, 
  • Columbia Heights Plaza NW, 
  • Indiana Plaza in downtown NW DC, 
  • Alethia Tanner Park NE,  
  • Oxon Run Park SE. 
  • Eastern Market Metro Plaza

THE THRONE

The Throne, unlike other standalone models, does not require a water and sewer connection which means that it can be placed at a much lower cost and easily moved if the location selected doesn’t work. Throne Labs cleans and maintains the Throne. And it has safety features built in (among them alert when the Throne is being used inappropriately with subsequent blocking access to the user).

               

Kudos to DC Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and DPW Director Spriggs. And a huge shoutout to Jessica Hienzelman of Throne Labs, who has with tremendous  patience and perseverance been able to navigate the DC bureaucracy to make this happen!

UPDATES

August 2024

  • As of August 31 there were over  30,000 bathroom visits
  • 92% of Throne visitors see it as a good of great option.
  • The average cleanliness rating given by Throne users is 4.15 out of 5
  • The highest usage at a single Throne on one day was 173.
  • On average Thrones were cleaned 3.3 times a day
  • There were two instances of vandalism (with graffiti on the wall removed within hours).

July 2024

  • As of July 31 there were over 21,000 bathroom visits
  • 95% of Throne visitors see it as a good of great option.
  • The average cleanliness rating given by Throne users is 4.13 out of 5
  • The highest usage at a single Throne on one day was 173.
  • On average Thrones were cleaned 3.5 times a day
  • There was one instance of vandalism (with graffiti on the wall removed within hours). 

June 2024

Five  out of six Thrones have been installed at: Dupont Circle NW, Columbia Heights Plaza NW, Indiana Plaza in downtown NW DC, Alethia Tanner Park NE, Oxon Run Park SE, with a sixth to be installed soon at Eastern Market Metro Plaza SE.

Thanks to Council Member Nadeau and DPW Director Spriggs funds were found in DPW’s FY 2025 budget to extend the pilot through September 30, 2025.

T

  • AUGUST 15 2024 UPDATE

    Throne Labs has just issued an UPDATE documenting progress with the six Thrones installed in Washington DC. Among the highlights:

    • Funding has been extended through September 2025.
    • From April 28 through July 31 there were over 21,000 bathroom visits
    • 95% of Throne visitors see it as a good of great option.
    • The average cleanliness rating given by Throne users is 4.15 out of 5
    • The Indiana Plaza Throne has the highest usage with an average of 60/day
    • There was only one instance of vandalism (with graffiti on the wall that was quickly removed.

  • JUNE 6 2024 UPDATE

    We are thrilled to report that, as of June 6, five out of six Thrones have been installed in different areas of DC: Dupont Circle NW, Columbia Heights Plaza NW, Indiana Plaza in downtown NW DC, Alethia Tanner Park NE, Oxon Run Park SE, with a sixth to be installed soon at Eastern Market SE.

    Throne has worked with Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), community organizations, and various District agencies to determine and submit permit applications for locations in Columbia Heights Plaza, Dupont Circle, and Downtown (near Indiana Plaza). All of these locations have received unanimous support from the ANCs and FINALLY have the necessary approvals for their placement by the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) and DC Public Parks and Recreation (DCPR).

    Another excellent piece of news is that, thanks to the efforts of Councilmember Nadeau, FY 2025 funds are available in the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) to extend the pilot through September 30, 2025. This will provide sufficient time to gather data on the operations of each Throne to hopefully make a case for funding for the six Thrones to be made available in FY 2026 and beyond, as well as making a case for adding Thrones in other areas of DC.

    A huge shoutout to Jessica Hienzelman at Throne Labs, who has with tremendous patience and perseverance been able to navigate the DC bureaucracy to make this happen!

    June 6, 2024 “Toilet Paper Cutting” inaugurating 5th Throne located at Columbia Heights Plaza in NW DC
    June 6, 2024 “Toilet Paper Cutting” inaugurating 5th Throne located at Columbia Heights Plaza in NW DC

On February 27, 2024 Council Member Pinto sent a letter to Mayor Bowser requesting funding for a variety of line items in the Mayor’s FY 2025 budget. The letter requests: Funding the Expanding Access to Public RestroomsAct:Support for BIDs and Main Streets to install and maintain public restrooms in all eight wardsand the addition of public restrooms in new and substantially renovated DPR facilitieswill support residents, tourists, and small businesses.

As of June 6, 2024 the Committee on Business and Economic Development has not scheduled a hearing on Bill 25-0102, the first step for:finalizing the wording of the bill, preparing a Financial Impact Statement, and submitting this Bill to the DC Council to be voted on.

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