New Yorkers ‘Ur In Luck’: City Will Expand Bathroom Access

IIf you’ve ever had trouble finding a public restroom in New York City, “Ur In Luck.” Mayor Eric Adams just announced that the city is embarking on a new effort to expand access to public bathrooms across all five boroughs.

Adams released the project, called “Ur In Luck,” on Monday. Over the next five years, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) will build 46 new restrooms and renovate 36 existing ones, according to the city report. Press release.

“Part of making New York a more livable city is dealing with the little things — the things we don’t think about until we need them,” Adams said in the press release. “Access to public restrooms is at the top of that list, maybe even first or second.”

The city currently has around 1,000 bathrooms that serve its population of around 8 million people. Research indicates that people’s quality of life and well-being improve when high-quality toilets are accessible and it helps reduce health risks such as defecation and urination in public.

Of the 82 new or renovated bathrooms, 10 will be located in the Bronx, 23 in Brooklyn, 28 in Manhattan, 14 in Queens and seven in Staten Island. The 36 bathrooms that will be renovated will gain additional stalls, accessibility improvements and energy efficiency features, according to the release.

“I need a bathroom, you’re in luck!” Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said in the press release. “Everyone – seniors, parents with children, anyone enjoying the day outdoors, needs access to a public restroom without having to buy anything or beg for a code. Public restrooms are critical infrastructure for New York City, where people are often out and about. We’re making New York City a little easier and more livable, one public bathroom at a time.”

See more information: Why bathroom access is a public health problem

The city introduced a new Google Maps Layer for people to use on their phones to find the location of all public restrooms operated by civic agencies and institutions throughout the city. The Google Maps layer will be updated semi-annually, the press release said.

The city is also creating a joint task force to help locate and expedite approvals for 14 new high-tech, self-cleaning public restrooms on city sidewalks and plazas, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation’s Coordinated Street Furnishings Department. New York City. franchisee JCDecaux, according to the release.

NYC Parks has already opened seven new public restrooms in the past five months at the following locations: Bronx Point/Mill Pond Park and Starlight Park in the Bronx, Frederick Johnson Playground and Highbridge Park Adventure Playground in Manhattan, Maspeth Park in Queens, and Lopez Playground on Staten Island .

Previously, NYC Parks finished adding new baby changing tables to all public restrooms in city parks where possible — a goal the department touted as being completed more than three years ahead of schedule, according to the release. the press.

“I learned through my Got2Go community that the lack of public restrooms in New York City is not only a quality of life and public health issue, but it is an equity crisis,” Teddy Siegel, founder of Got2GoNYCa TikTok account that helps New Yorkers find free, accessible bathrooms, said in the press release. “The city’s action to address this pressing issue is a big step and will improve the lives of all New Yorkers and tourists!”