Public Restrooms, Including in Alethia Tanner Park

DC has only about 700 public restrooms, far fewer than we need and mostly provided by businesses who are providing this public service while trying to run their business. The National Mall has only 5 public restrooms and in Eckington we had none at all. This shortage affects everyone but especially young parents, people with medical conditions, and seniors. I worked with DC Council and the Department of Public Works to locate a self-cleaning bathroom in Alethia Tanner Park (now used over 30 times a day) operated by an outside contractor, and press for making it easier to open more restrooms.

• May 2024: Alethia Tanner Park is selected as one of six locations for a new Throne self-cleaning restroom pilot project, and it opens.

• March 2025: I sponsor ANC5F-26-013 requesting extension of the Throne contract for the restroom at Alethia Tanner Park past its September 30, 2025 expiration.

• June 2025: I testify to the DC Council on the Throne pilot and urge its continuation and expansion. The Council includes these funds in its adopted budget.

• July 2025: After the Mayor's office closes Thrones citywide due a budget impasse with the federal government, I co-sponsor ANC5F-26-035 and work with Councilmembers Nadeau and Parker to make the case to the City Administrator to reopen them. After 3 days, the City Administrator agrees to renew the Throne contract and after a public petition, the bathrooms reopen.

How can you help? Urge the Mayor and the Council (and cc your commissioner) to enable more public restrooms to open, including by continuing the contract for the location in Alethia Tanner Park.