The public toilet is the city’s first, and may pave the way for a rollout of similar facilities.
Chicago has cut the ribbon on its first public toilet, a $315,659 investment equipped with self-cleaning technology. Each use is limited to 15 minutes — five minutes longer than New York City’s public restrooms — after which the doors open automatically.
The city may soon spend even more money on the toilet: Officials are weighing hiring an attendant to monitor the facility, which is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Residents Nic and Alexis Peart told Block Club Chicago they wished the city had come up with a broader plan to revamp the Polish Triangle, where the restroom is located.
More public restrooms may be on their way. The toilet at the Polish Triangle “is the first in a pilot program that could see similar facilities installed across the city in the next few years,” Quinn Myers writes for Block Club Chicago.
Read the full story: Public Toilet That Cleans Itself Now Open In Wicker Park — A First In The City
Developers reveal $10 billion stadium plan as ‘Hail Mary’ to keep Bears in Chicago
The plan would also boast a public park, high- and mid-rise buildings and a youth sports complex.
Officials claim feds 'rushed' Amtrak environmental review
Amtrak plans to move their Chicago maintenance facility from an industrial area to a residential one.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking
New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.
Chicago cuts ribbon on $300,000, self-cleaning public toilet
The public toilet is the city’s first, and may pave the way for a rollout of similar facilities.
Sharp cuts to Oregon public transit, rail on the horizon without additional funding
Transportation workgroup has until Dec. 15 to send its report to Gov. Tina Kotek
Why does it take an emergency for the U.S. to expedite infrastructure projects?
In June 2023, Philadelphia repaired a melted interstate in 12 days thanks to an emergency order.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Charlotte
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello