San Francisco, CA
Once estimated to cost $1.7 million, San Francisco’s long-mocked toilet is up and running
A San Francisco restroom once estimated to cost $1.7 million is now up and running for the public after the city received criticism, jokes and a generous donation.
San Francisco Recreation and Parks opened the single public restroom in the Noe Valley neighborhood after receiving a donation that cut the city’s cost to under $200,000, Daniel Montes, the city agency’s communication manager, told USA TODAY in an email.
“The bathroom has been well received by the Noe Valley community, and we’re happy to finally provide some relief for parkgoers,” Montes said.
Public Restroom Company’s and Volumetric Building Companies’ donations equate to a combined $425,000 and include a prefabricated modular restroom and all associated installation work, the city agency said in a January 2023 news release. Public Restroom Company, a Nevada-based business, also donated a toilet previously used for demonstration purposes in trade shows.
“The gift also allows Rec and Park to save approximately $491,000 in design, construction management and other regulatory and design review costs,” according to the release.
San Francisco Rec and Park criticized for $1.7 million restroom
Before the donation, the city received criticism from community members who thought the restroom would be paid entirely by state funding, San Francisco Rec and Park said in the release. The initial “rough estimate” for the custom-designed and custom-built restroom at Noe Valley Town Square was $1.7 million with a two-year timeline, according to the city agency.
The donation will save the city $115,500 on construction, $91,800 in project management fees and $90,000 in architecture and engineering fees, San Francisco Rec and Park said.
“We are thrilled to accept this generous donation, which will allow us to deliver this important project to the Noe Valley community,” Phil Ginsburg, general manager of San Francisco Rec and Park, said in the release. “… It’s not easy navigating the city’s contracting and construction process, which of course is of small consolation when your 2-year-old needs a diaper change. We will fully support efforts by our city’s leaders to make small public works projects like this one − which aren’t always saved by philanthropy − less costly and more efficient to deliver.”
Bill Maher, San Francisco residents find humor in the installation of $1.7 million restroom
Although the city received a donation to cover some expenses, the public and celebrities still made jokes about a restroom estimated to cost $1.7 million.
Comedian Bill Maher spoke about the bathroom in February 2023 on his talk show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” which he reposted on Facebook. He called San Francisco the “poop capital of the world” and said the problem he has with the government is that it does not disclose other expenses needed for projects which “sucks the money out of America.”
One commenter under Maher’s clip on Facebook joked about cashing out on the new restroom.
“Imma gonna use it, slip and fall, and sue the city for $14 million,” the commenter said.
San Francisco residents even found the idea of a $1.7 million toilet humorous when they held the “Toilet Bowl” on Sunday to commemorate the bathroom’s installation.
“We wanted to, you know, really roll with it,” Zach D’Angelo, dressed as a giant roll of toilet paper with a red plunger as his hat, told the New York Times at the event. D’Angelo stepped away from hosting trivia at a pub down the street to be the event’s emcee, or what he called “the Grand Poobah,” the outlet reported.
“I am flush with excitement!” D’Angelo told the outlet, before he began telling toilet jokes his 7-year-old nephew came up with.
San Francisco, CA
Record number of sea lions appear on San Francisco’s famous Pier 39
San Francisco’s famed Fisherman’s Wharf district is seeing a surge in sea lions.
They’re lounging, biting each other and generally making a ruckus in numbers not seen in more than a decade.
First appearing at Pier 39 after the 1989 earthquake, the sea lions have become a well-known tourist attraction.
The number of sea lions crashing at the pier fluctuates over the seasons. On most days more than a hundred can be seen.
But this week, Pier 39 has counted more than one thousand sea lions, the most they’ve seen there in 15 years.
San Francisco, CA
SF launches Downtown First Thursdays to attract visitors, boost businesses
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — From the stages to the food trucks, San Francisco took another step towards a comeback Thursday night with its first Downtown First Thursdays.
“Make it feel like there are actually things that are happening in downtown San Francisco and make us think of a future in this city, that gives us hope,” said San Francisco resident, Kenny Green.
Thursday night’s kickoff marked the first of many block parties in the SoMa District, scheduled for the first Thursday of each month. “It’s a fun vibe and it’s nice to see a lot of the stores I see at other events, and the food smells great,” said San Francisco resident, Neeti Ganjur.
MORE: Can you find them? Scavenger hunt underway throughout San Francisco for valuable hidden coins
“San Franciscans need to remember we are great at throwing a party and celebrating; getting people back to downtown,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “Hopefully this is the kind of thing that makes people who have the option of working from home or commuting want to come downtown and that’s good for our businesses.”
“Even if people come downtown to work they leave as soon as it’s done, so it’s fun to have something nearby for all the coworkers and friends to join up and enjoy time together downtown,” said San Francisco resident Mary Keenan.
And for business owners like jeweler Meghan Zore, the event is a welcome sight.
“I mean they’re expecting 10,000 people tonight – that’s amazing on a Thursday,” Zore. “San Francisco in my mind is hope. San Francisco is change. We’re going through a transition period, but all that means is an opportunity for new stuff to bloom.”
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San Francisco, CA
Major San Francisco companies partner for cleanup coalition
Volunteers from the Gap, JP Morgan Chase, Levi Strauss, Visa, and Wells Fargo stepped outside their office buildings on Thursday and into the streets and parks of San Francisco, ready to clean up.
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