Fairbanks

Report explores downtown Fairbanks' lack of public restrooms

FAIRBANKS — A recent report to Fairbanks Mayor John Eberhart looks into whether there should be more public restrooms downtown, where there is currently only one permanent bathroom available.

The March 18 report by Planning and Permitting Manager Jackson Fox details ways for the city to increase restroom availability. Fox said Fairbanks could add another outdoor restroom, compensate businesses for opening their restrooms to the public or improve signage directing the public to available restrooms, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

According to the report, downtown Fairbanks has only one permanent public restroom available and it is only open during the summer. All other restrooms in the downtown area are located in private-owned establishments or are not advertised for public use, the report says.

In doing research for the report, Fox said he has not heard much feedback from organizations, including Explore Fairbanks and the Downtown Association, about there being problems with a lack of public restrooms. Although, the issue has gone before the City Council multiple times over the years.

Trevor Miller and Nick Coleman run a food truck called Between the Buns and said more restrooms would help their business. State regulations require food truck operators to set up their vehicle within 200 feet of a public restroom.

"If they are really serious about revitalizing downtown, adding a public restroom, I definitely don't think that would hurt," Miller said, adding that more public restrooms might reduce public urination.

Isaiah Mangum, who owns Venue, a downtown gallery and coffee bar, said it doesn't bother him when visitors ask to use the bathroom, but he agrees that having more permanent restrooms would be a good idea.

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"We should be good hosts," he said. "It's a basic human need."

But City Councilman David Pruhs shared concerns about adding a permanent restroom, which the report estimates would cost up to $150,000 to install. He said the restroom would have an impact on public safety.

"It's more than an issue of just a downtown bathroom because you are taking into account more than just the visitors," he said. "The inebriates will use it."

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