The call of the sidewalk and of nature

Critics of day laborers, sidewalk vendors, and other people who use public space to make a living sometimes contend that they misbehave in public. One complaint is public urination. If we'd just get these people off the street, so the reasoning goes, they wouldn't do that anymore. Where exactly to put them is a very divisive issue, particularly when it comes to day laborers. Some advocate that indoor day labor centers be built, presumably with access to indoor restroom facilities. To others, this is an anathema. Many laborers are undocumented, and many people view day labor centers as aiding and abetting criminal activity.

The need to relieve oneself is, of course, not unique to day laborers. It's not a problem for most of us, though. Whether you're at work or at home, it is likely that there's a bathroom close at hand. But if you're out shopping or running errands, it can be a little trickery finding a place to go. "Restrooms for Customers Only" is a sign one sees posted at some otherwise "public" establishments from time to time. The automobile has shrunk distances for many of us and otherwise made the hunt for a welcome restroom a little easier. But if you're on foot your range is much more limited.

You might think that government would approach restrooms the same way it approaches highways, streets, and sidewalks. These things are provided for free or at most a nominal fee (think of a bridge or turnpike toll). Pedestrian-intense cities abroad have already done this. Public restrooms are plentiful on the streets of Paris, for example. But many cities in the U.S. have lagged, leaving it largely to the free market. There are indications that the market is not supplying enough restrooms, particularly in areas with heavy pedestrian use.

The New York Times ran an editorial decrying the sorry state of public bathrooms in New York City. The problem was not keeping them clean. Instead the Times complained that it was a "disgrace that there are so few public bathrooms and that New York City officials have failed to build any new pay toilets for public use despite years of debate. Now Peter Vallone, the City Council speaker, has proposed a modest start -- 50 toilets that would be deployed on city streets where most urgently needed." That was seven years ago. Today New York City has, not counting those in Central Park and police stations, just 8 public restrooms. Tellingly, one tour operator, Beyond Times Square, also puts on its list of NYC "public restrooms" a number of private businesses: "hotel lobbies," "department stores," and "coffee houses." Wonder how many of these welcome folks who are not paying customers?

If we're trying to encourage people to get out of their cars and walk, we might make it easier for all of us to find a restroom. As pedestrians, day laborers and street vendors would enjoy the use of these facilities, too, much to the relief of many.