Mayor Mamdani Brings 17 New Public Bathrooms to Neighborhoods Across New York City

 

$4 million pilot brings free, accessible, high-quality modular bathrooms to public plazas and high-traffic areas

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced that the installation of 17 new public bathrooms has begun across New York City, bringing free, accessible facilities to public plazas and high-traffic areas where New Yorkers currently lack reliable access to a bathroom.

Mayor Mamdani first announced the City’s commitment to a $4 million modular public bathroom pilot in January. In June, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) selected Throne Labs through a competitive bidding process to deliver, operate and service the bathrooms.

Each bathroom will be free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ADA-accessible, fully touchless units include a comfortable interior, running-water sink, flushing toilet, climate control and a baby-changing station.

“Too many New Yorkers know what it’s like to have nowhere to go while they’re on the go,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This pilot is about making sure New Yorkers can count on a clean, safe, accessible bathroom when they need one. We are going to learn from this pilot and build a public bathroom network that meets the needs of New Yorkers in every borough.”

The pilot will run for one year, with installation beginning this week.

Locations include:

• Bronx: Yankee Stadium, Admiral Farragut Playground, Mapes Park and Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square
• Brooklyn: Columbus Park, Milestone Park, Fulton Street and Truxton Street and Avenue C Plaza
• Queens: Astoria Boulevard South and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 54th Street and 34th Avenue and 64th Street
• Manhattan: Cooper Square, Malcolm X Plaza, Delancey Street and Suffolk Street and Plaza Alianza Dominicana
• Staten Island: North Shore Esplanade

Throne Labs operates networks of public bathrooms in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, the Bay Area and Detroit. The self-contained units do not require connections to water, sewer or power infrastructure, allowing them to be deployed, relocated or removed as community needs change.

Throne Labs will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining each unit. Real-time feedback will allow the company to respond quickly to issues and prioritize units that need attention.

New Yorkers can enter the bathrooms by text message, QR code, through the Throne Bathroom Network app or a tap card distributed by local community partners. The app also allows users to find the nearest bathroom, check real-time cleanliness ratings and see whether a unit is available.

“All New Yorkers deserve welcoming public spaces that allow them to get where they’re going with dignity and feel cared for. Public restrooms improve the quality of life for everyone, especially our older adults, parents with young children, delivery workers, people with disabilities and so many more,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We are proud to have partnered with NYCEDC and Parks to help site these public bathroom locations in high-traffic areas across the five boroughs.”

“This modular restroom pilot ensures that more New Yorkers can easily access free public restrooms where they’re needed most across the five boroughs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “As the city’s largest provider of free restroom facilities, Parks is pleased to collaborate on an innovative approach to create clean, safe and fully accessible bathrooms more quickly and efficiently.”

“Whether you are making deliveries, working on a construction site, driving a cab or simply spending the day out and about in your neighborhood, you should have reliable access to clean and free restrooms,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Anthony Shorris. “Access to a restroom is a basic matter of dignity, and these new locations deliver on the City’s commitment to bring facilities to the communities and public spaces where they are needed most.”