BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

A public restroom in San Francisco once projected to cost $1.7M is finally open: Take a look inside

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

maylen

https://digital-stage.newsnationnow.com/

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – A controversial public restroom installed last month in San Francisco’s Noe Valley neighborhood is finally ready for the public to use.

Plans for the restroom first gained national attention in 2022, after the San Francisco Chronicle reported on the projected price tag of $1.7 million. The cost prompted conversations about wasteful spending, and became the butt of jokes aimed at the city.

A look inside the Noe Valley public restroom that opened this April. (KRON)

And no, the toilet isn’t made from gold, which is what some may have assumed for when the projected price was announced. It’s an all-gender, single-person restroom with a baby changing station.

At the time, San Francisco Recreation and Parks said the price was based on possible costs, including further improvements or maintenance.

“We estimate high — not because we want to spend more money, but because we want to ensure we can deliver projects to communities even if we are hit with unexpected costs,” a spokesman said in 2022. “That means budgeting for the worst-case scenario.”

Even still, a celebration to mark the project at Noe Valley in 2022 was canceled amid the backlash.

The restroom didn’t end up costing nearly the amount projected. A couple of local companies stepped in to lower costs, including one that donated a prefabricated toilet, according to the Chronicle. The cost eventually came down to around $300,000.

The bathroom ultimately opened this month, and the district is even preparing to commemorate the occasion with a “Toilet Bowl” this Sunday, April 21.

The event is described as a “blowout celebration” for the facility, will feature a Toilet Tree ceremony and an ornament crafts table. The event will also include activities such as yoga, face painting, live music and a “toilet bowl toss.”

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman is also expected to attend and speak.

“It’s taken a lot longer than anyone would have hoped, but it is very much needed,” Mandelman said.

West

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

62°F Sunny Feels like 62°
Wind
0 mph SW
Humidity
32%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.
47°F A few passing clouds. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph NNE
Precip
10%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous