Public Restroom Working Group

Herald Square Public Restroom, 104 W 35th St

The Land Use, Housing & Zoning (LUHZ) Committee has been actively working to address the critical shortage of public restrooms in our district, which has far less public park space than the city average. Recognizing that building standalone facilities can be costly and complex, the committee has explored practical solutions such as opening access to existing bathrooms in commercial buildings, retail spaces, and Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS). By engaging with developers, property owners, and city agencies, LUHZ advocates for restroom access as part of the public benefits exchanged for valuable development rights. The committee has also evaluated options like Automated Public Toilets for plazas where feasible, aiming to improve public health, accessibility, and overall quality of life in Midtown.

Resolution addressing the need for increased public toilet access
Resolution supporting Intro 0258.
Letter of support for Intro 0258.
Resolution regarding a text amendment for public plazas.
Letter of support for improved access to public bathrooms in POPS.
CB5 Presentation on Public Bathrooms