Did San Francisco flush away $1.7 million on a public toilet? It’s been a debate since the price tag was announced in 2022.
The long-awaited restroom was delivered on Thursday, March 7 to the Noe Valley neighborhood.
“The eagle has landed!” announced the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department on X. “The world’s most famous & eagerly anticipated prefab toilet touched down this morning at Noe Valley Town Square.”
The restroom won’t be open until the onsite setup is complete, which is likely by the end of March.
The $1.7 million cost to the city was actually reduced by $425,000 when Public Restroom Company, located in Nevada, donated a prefabricated restroom facility.
San Francisco isn’t allowed to do business with companies in Nevada, since Nevada is one of the 22 states banned due to abortion, LGBT, and voting rights disagreements. However, the city is allowed to accept gifts from the banned states.
Chad Kaufman, the owner of Public Restroom Company, told ABC7 that he donated the restroom because he “just wanted to show why modular prefabrication solutions are cost-effective and easier.”
It’s a single-user restroom with a sink on the outside. The inside is supposed to be small enough to deter anyone from sleeping in it.
Following the March 7 delivery, it’s estimated that it will cost an additional $300,000 for permits and manpower to get it up and running.
