Where’s the restroom? Minneapolis needs more answers

There is no definitive answer to how many public restrooms are currently available in Minneapolis. In 2019, the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) reported a dismal 29 public restrooms in the downtown area.

According to a 2021 estimate from QS Bathroom Supplies, Minneapolis had 18 public restrooms per 100,000 people. (Nearby Madison, Wis., stood out with 35 bathrooms per 100,000 people). Anecdotally, at least one famous visitor to Minneapolis candidly shared his harrowing experience locating the closest public bathroom, which included dodging threats to call security and a frantic dash between buildings. 

Although we don’t know an exact number, it’s clear that there are not enough public restrooms in Minneapolis. However, Minneapolis is far from alone; the dearth of public restrooms in the U.S. is so considerable that organizations like the National Association for Continence regularly publish articles that recommend bathroom locator apps. If cities can be judged by their provision of basic services like trash collection and drinking water, then their ability to provide adequate restroom facilities should be equally fundamental. 

Related: Where are the public restrooms in downtown Minneapolis?

Access to reliable bathroom facilities is a basic human need that is essential for maintaining personal dignity and public health. Other cities have recognized the importance of providing municipally-managed public restrooms. In San Francisco, the Pit Stop Program constructed 25 self-cleaning restrooms with attendants. Washington, D.C., piloted programs to construct 24/7 restroom facilities in high-need locations and offered a financial incentive for businesses willing to allow public access to their restrooms. 

Minneapolis business leaders certainly recognize the value of providing readily available public bathrooms. The now defunct 100 Restrooms Project led by the DID aimed to implement public-private partnerships that would allow the general public to utilize restrooms inside businesses, before being shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More recently, the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s 2035 Plan includes the goal of widening restroom access as part of downtown revitalization efforts. Notably, the city of Minneapolis’s 1,256 page 2040 Plan contains only three passing mentions of restrooms and no strategy for supplying this critical public service. 

Although accessible public bathrooms are a crucial part of rebuilding a thriving downtown, the city of Minneapolis should not rely only on private businesses to assume the burden of public responsibility. Shops and restaurants cannot function as the city’s default sanitation infrastructure. Additionally, a city-managed network of public restrooms must serve all neighborhoods, not just those located in downtown’s central business district. From North Minneapolis to Nokomis, every resident should be included in the provision of this fundamental public good. 

An expansive municipal restroom system would be particularly impactful for vulnerable populations: people experiencing homelessness, seniors, those who face barriers in gendered facilities, people with disabilities, and families with children. But the benefits would extend to all of us. Public bathrooms make parks more welcoming, transit systems more functional and commercial districts more vibrant. When people know they’ll be able to find a restroom, they are more likely to linger and engage with the city. 

Installation and maintenance do represent significant, ongoing costs in the creation of public restroom facilities. Still, these costs must be weighed against the expenses of public sanitation clean up and lost economic activity due to exclusionary infrastructure. And cities regularly subsidize public services to ensure equitable access for all residents. Previous attempts to increase access to public restrooms have raised concerns about drug use and vandalism. But design and management practices such as timed locks, automated self-cleaning, and regular staffing can address most safety issues.

Related: Successful city parks make diverse communities feel safe and welcome

If Minneapolis aspires to be a leader of equity and vibrant urban development, then public restrooms must be treated as essential infrastructure. Despite minimal progress toward this goal, some elected officials have begun to take notice of this everyday dilemma. On June 5, the City Council adopted a directive to survey existing public restrooms, conduct a national analysis of municipal restroom programs, and review regulatory and zoning requirements related to standalone public restrooms.

This indicates a modest first step toward acknowledging that restroom access is a core civic responsibility. It’s time for Minneapolis to invest in a network of free, accessible and well-maintained public restrooms that serve residents and visitors alike.

Lee Eubanks is a student of Urban and Regional Planning in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a Minneapolis resident. 

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