ASHEVILLE – Plans more than two years in the making for a new 24/7 public restroom downtown were delayed by City Council Jan. 23. Mayor Esther Manheimer cited talks with the Asheville Downtown Association and consideration being given to potentially reopen Haywood Street restrooms closed in 2020.
“I’m not satisfied yet,” Manheimer said.
She requested they table the vote to approve the purchase and installation of a new facility — a request of about $400,000, which included new lightning, landscaping, security cameras and utilities — and explore other opportunities to fill the need for more and improved restrooms downtown.
The proposal will return to City Council in February.
What was the request?
Currently, the walk down College Street from the confluence of roads at Pritchard Park passes a port-a-potty in the mulch near the pedestrian exit of the Rankin Avenue parking garage. There is a small spur of sidewalk, a bus stop, a single bench and two maple trees.
It’s been there since 2020. Temporary restrooms were also installed at Pritchard Park and Wall Street, but were removed after a petition from downtown business owners “expressed issues,” according to a staff report.