By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green officials flushed out the plan for downtown restrooms for the public Monday evening.
“Downtown bathrooms are on the way,” City Council President Mark Hollenbaugh announced.
City Council voted unanimously to authorize Director of Public Services Joe Fawcett to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for construction of the restrooms at the Huntington ATM site at 119 S. Church St.
The plan calls for two unisex restrooms, with an indoor vestible in the front of the building, according to Public Services Director Joe Fawcett.
The bidding and contracting of projects typically take one to two months. It is the city’s goal to have the public restrooms open by the spring of next year.
City Council has already committed $75,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the project located in the former drive-thru bank next to the police station and across the street from Wooster Green.
City Council voted to purchase the former bank building in 2019. The former Huntington Bank Branch location has been closed for several years, but has drive-up ATM units.
The restrooms are intended to serve those using Wooster Green as well as visitors to the downtown area.
In addition, the location has been eyed by the city for years as property that could be used to expand the police station. While there are no immediate plans for an expansion, the addition of an improved safety dispatch center is one of the city’s long-term capital plans.
A decision was made earlier this year that the restroom project should not wait for the police station renovations, which could be several years from now.
There will be cameras for security outside the restrooms, in an effort to thwart vandalism, Fawcett said. The restroom building will have automated locks, and will be locked overnight. The open hours have not yet been determined.
