The Most Lucrative Contract Ever for NYC: “Pedestrian Rest Stops”

As previously mentioned, the City of New York has entered into a lucrativecontract with a Spanish company to provide 25 cent toilet pods in publiclocations throughout the city. Who wouldhave guessed that toilet pods would be at the heart of “the most lucrative[contract] ever awarded,” estimated to generate at least $1 billion for theCity over 20 years? This deal is a moneymaker for the City because the company will build and maintain all theamenities at no cost to the City and also build matching, sleek newsstands andbus shelters. Then, the company will paythe City a fee in exchange for the right to sell advertising on the toilet pods,newsstands and bus shelters.

A prototype was recently unveiled on a sidewalk in Brooklyn.  A N.Y.Times article describes the toilet pod and what you get for your quarter’sentrance fee:

The shiny, silver toilet is enclosed within a sleek, modernrectangle that is nearly as spacious as some studio apartments and topped withfrosted pale green glass. It comes with a sink, mirror and disposable seatcovers. Push a blue button for an extra flush, and a red button to report anemergency.

A quarter will secure entree to the inner sanctum for 15 minutes (with a3-minute warning). Linger past that, and the door slides open again for thenext occupant even if the current one is not quite done.

Not sure which quip more aptly celebrates the unveiling, either “contractsin everything” or “only in New York.”

[Meredith R. Miller]