Chelsea Now photos by Jefferson Siegel

Public toilets make NYC debut

Last Thursday, a new freestanding public bathroom had its grand opening in Madison Sq. Park. The bathroom, which costs a quarter to enter and one local office worker described as “bigger than my apartment,” is the first of 20 that will be located around the city. Patrons have 15 minutes before the door automatically opens. After each use, the door closes and the interior is spray-sanitized for 60 seconds before allowing another use. Sensors under the rubber-matted floor prohibit any weight over 550 pounds, thus denying privacy to any group of people hoping to use the space for something other than its intended purpose. The bathroom was built and is being maintained by CEMUSA, which is also building new bus shelters and newsstands throughout the city.

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