San Francisco Supervisor Seeks to Save 24-Hour Public Restrooms Plan – NBC Bay Space

If San Francisco supervisor Matt Haney granted his wish, the city could get more public toilets.

He said it was a matter of public safety and decency.

Many have called the pit stop a lifesaver during the pandemic. The question now is whether San Francisco needs more of this if we are to overcome COVID-19.

“Absolutely for people who live here and for people who visit. Because you’re visiting here, you just want the place to be cheap, ”said Theo McKinney of San Francisco.

Before the pandemic, the number of public toilets occupied was 25. During the pandemic, the city expanded it to 60.

There are 36 right now. Haney, a supervisor in one of the toughest neighborhoods in town, said they need more.

“We want Mayor London Breed to support us. We want to come together and restore more of these bathrooms. The access we had last year should continue, ”he said.

Haney led a rally Friday to discuss more about the 24-hour public toilet plan.

“I am committed to restoring at least 5 of the 24-hour toilets as a budget chair and increasing the number of toilets by five.”

Haney said it’s not difficult to understand that portable public toilets are necessary to keep roads from being turned into sewers. But it’s not cheap.

“It costs $ 600,000 for a full year,” he said. “That means it runs every hour of the day. This is busy. It’s clean to make sure it’s used properly. ”

Rachel Gordon of San Francisco Public Works also spoke about the cost of the program since the pandemic.

“At the height of the pandemic, the bill for the pit stop program was just under $ 13 million. So more than $ 12 million and we only got a minimal refund from the federal government, “she said.

The San Francisco Mayor’s Office issued a statement that said in part:

“We are currently in the middle of the budget process and there are always limited resources that have to be taken into account. We are working with the departments and the board on this and my other questions to reach an agreement on the final budget. “