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Bangor has not been alone in wrestling with the issue of public restrooms. The costs and maintenance have created challenges for municipalities across the country.
As proven a couple hours down the road in Portland, however, there are workable ways to provide this basic service in communities. The fact that Bangor looks poised to approve and move forward with the installation of several public restrooms is very encouraging.
Portland used American Rescue Plan Act funding fairly quickly to install numerous metal structures that are relatively easy to clean and more resistant to vandalism. Bangor is now looking to follow suit, with councilors signaling support for a plan to install several of these single-stall structures in multiple locations during a committee meeting last week. A formal approval by the full council could happen this week.
The locations will be Hayford Park, Chapin Park, Coe Park, Fairmount Park and Broadway Park, as well as a downtown location on Broad Street, according to Bangor’s parks and recreation director, Tracy Willette. Critically, while existing public restroom options in city facilities are confined to the business hours of those buildings, the new restrooms will be open all day and every day.
“I remember two years ago when I was on the council we started this discussion, so I’m so excited we have something tangible tonight,” Councilor Dina Yacoubagha said during Wednesday’s committee meeting.
We share in the excitement. We’ve made it no secret that we’ve been frustrated with the pace at which Bangor has allocated its ARPA funds, particularly with the amount of pressing community needs. But a good step is still a good step. City leaders have assessed this issue, and reached the right conclusion. Hopefully, this is a sign that the council will take thoughtful yet swift action to spend the more than $3 million it has remaining in ARPA funds before an end of the year deadline.
This move forward on restrooms also hopefully demonstrates a sort of repudiation of the attitude, too often present in the overall debate about city services and support for unhoused individuals in particular, that providing certain community resources should be avoided because it will only attract more people seeking those services.
To repeat this once again, our community can’t let this fear get in the way of providing basic services and helping the people who are already here. That would be a recipe for inaction. Thankfully, the Bangor council looks ready to take action.
BDN reporter Kathleen O’Brien summarized the public restroom issue succinctly this fall, and that summary remains just as relevant today.
“While being able to access a bathroom easily is important for those without stable housing, plenty of clearly marked and accessible restrooms are vital for anyone,” she wrote in September. “Without them — and especially without facilities that are available after regular business hours — people are being forced to ask local businesses for help or relieve themselves in public spaces.”
This reality remains obvious today, and it is welcome news to see city leaders respond. We hope it is a sign of more thoughtful action to follow in 2024.