Blue and white bathroom boxes set to change downtown Ann Arbor landscape

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is moving forward with rolling out portable public restrooms from Throne Labs Inc.

Custom designed with the city’s A200 bicentennial logo and images of Ann Arbor, the blue and white bathroom boxes are set to change the landscape as they’re scheduled to pop up in several locations the week of May 27, the city announced.

Downtown, that includes one at Liberty Plaza, one at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, one by the Delonis Center homeless shelter and one on Washington Street just east of Main Street.

Outside of downtown, there will be one at Riverside Park, one at West Park and two at Veterans Memorial Park where the Ann Arbor Skatepark and other recreation amenities are located.

Ann Arbor portable restrooms — Ann Arbor's new portable restrooms from Throne Labs are set to roll out at several locations downtown and in city parks.City of Ann Arbor

The high-tech restrooms will be free to use and accessible by scanning a QR code or using a mobile app. Additionally, access cards will be available for those without cell phones.

Throne advertises smart sensors allow users to enter, flush, wash their hands and exit without touching surfaces.

“We’re excited to launch this one-year pilot program and offer our downtown and parks visitors safe and dignified public restroom options for all people regardless of ability, gender, race, housing status, culture and age,” City Administrator Milton Dohoney said in a statement, adding it works toward the city’s goal to be welcoming and inclusive.

Although temporary, the toilets will help the city determine where permanent public restrooms are needed downtown, he said.

Throne is under contract with the city to cover all cleaning, servicing and user support for the restrooms.

Baby-changing stations and menstrual products will be included in each location, and the design of the restrooms exceeds accessibility standards for people with disabilities, allowing easy access for all community members, according to the city.

For those without cell phones, access cards will be available at city hall and the Delonis Center during business hours.

Funding for the $500,000 one-year pilot program includes $200,000 in federal stimulus funding, $132,000 from the University of Michigan and $168,000 from the Downtown Development Authority.

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