Those new “Throne” portable toilets are eyesores and nuisances

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, they’re not bad. I’ve used them with my kid at a park in MD. It’s a local company and they monitor them remotely. There’s some sort of automated cleaning process too. Since you use a QR code to get in, and they can “ban” people who mess up the bathroom, it’s kind of the opposite of an equity thing isn’t it?

If all that is true I support this. I don't even view it as an equity thing. Having clean and functional public toilets in public spaces is a sign of a civilized society. I have always found it weird how rare they are in the US -- it's generally not that hard to find public toilets in European and Asian countries. Sometimes you have to pay a nominal fee or yes use a QR or similar to access but that's fine (and keeps them from becoming homeless shelters or places for prostitution or drugs) but it's just a very normal thing you see in cities around the world that for some reason has been hard to accomplish here.

OP here. My objections are that this thing is absolutely hideous - I’ve seen the versions in Europe and SF and this one is so ugly. And it’s placed literally in the middle of a small landscaped sitting area taking up valuable public space. They could have found a better spot for it. Finally this being DC I am 100% certain it will be destroyed and/or used for drug dealing within a week.

You could wait a week and see whether that actually happens?

The ones in mount rainier and Hyattsville have been there for idk, a year? I’m not aware of any problems but also idk if the company is just working really hard to make them work.

[Anonymous]

Link a pic so we can all see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, they’re not bad. I’ve used them with my kid at a park in MD. It’s a local company and they monitor them remotely. There’s some sort of automated cleaning process too. Since you use a QR code to get in, and they can “ban” people who mess up the bathroom, it’s kind of the opposite of an equity thing isn’t it?

If all that is true I support this. I don't even view it as an equity thing. Having clean and functional public toilets in public spaces is a sign of a civilized society. I have always found it weird how rare they are in the US -- it's generally not that hard to find public toilets in European and Asian countries. Sometimes you have to pay a nominal fee or yes use a QR or similar to access but that's fine (and keeps them from becoming homeless shelters or places for prostitution or drugs) but it's just a very normal thing you see in cities around the world that for some reason has been hard to accomplish here.

OP here. My objections are that this thing is absolutely hideous - I’ve seen the versions in Europe and SF and this one is so ugly. And it’s placed literally in the middle of a small landscaped sitting area taking up valuable public space. They could have found a better spot for it. Finally this being DC I am 100% certain it will be destroyed and/or used for drug dealing within a week.

You could wait a week and see whether that actually happens?

The ones in mount rainier and Hyattsville have been there for idk, a year? I’m not aware of any problems but also idk if the company is just working really hard to make them work.

very different from an area that already attracts vagrants, crime and drug dealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bring back toilets where you have to put a quarter in to use them.

Well that’s basically what this is. Except the quarter is subsidized by whatever local government or business group put it there and you use your phone to access it.

If the local authority stopped paying for it, it would just disappear or I guess it could become pay per use? I think the appeal to governments is that they don’t have to commit to building, staffing and maintaining a brick and mortar bathroom for fifty years or whatever. If you end the experiment, they just put it on a truck.

I honestly don’t see how these would be used for drug dealing. Drug using, sure! But that’s the idea of the access control and the remote monitoring I think.

I doubt this company is profitable at this stage so enjoy them now while they’re probably super interested in successful proof points and not squeezing out petit coins.

because the dealers will break the locks, and the “remote monitoring” is pointless.

[Anonymous]

The one in Navy Yard has been there a while and is still in good condition. I didn't like that the original version wasn't wheelchair/stroller accessible but that's been fixed. Needing a phone or passcard to get in keeps it cleaner, but also means the more severely impaired (whether by a disability or substances) will be less likely to use them. I have IBS and am frequently in need of restrooms, so I appreciate these and would also support more traditional public bathrooms.

[Anonymous]

They look pretty nice, not gonna lie

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They look pretty nice, not gonna lie

No they don’t. they may or may not be useful, but they are very ugly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with you OP. There should be nice public toilets, and they should be staffed.

There should definitely be a towel attendant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Link a pic so we can all see it.

Lmgtfy

https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/03/15/more-high-tech-public-bathrooms-are-coming-to-dc-this-spring/

[Anonymous]

I don't think they look ugly, at least not in the pictures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think they look ugly, at least not in the pictures.

DCUM thinks anything that isn't Stalinist Soviet architecture is ugly.

[Anonymous]

Greater Greater Washington wants to see more public parks given over to homeless toilets and, yes, housing.

[Anonymous]

There should be a nominal fee like a quarter or 50 cents to use them. That would cut down somewhat on the illicit activity and provide some funds for maintenance. It’s human nature that some people value only what they have to pay for and trash “free” goods.

[Anonymous]

Thrones owner is a friend of bowser and I believe a former “consultant” always follow the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Greater Greater Washington wants to see more public parks given over to homeless toilets and, yes, housing.

I am against homeless toilets. I think all toilets should have homes.