The idea for a Public restroom began with Portland’s City Commissioner, Randy Leonard. The city of Portland had seen a rise in the homeless population and without restroom facilities the homeless were left to find somewhere else to take care of business. Having a restroom open 24 hours a day provided full public access without disturbing local businesses for their restroom facilities. While this problem is not unique to Portland, most cities as well as parks are realizing the need for a public restroom.

Since the Portland Loo was intended to be open year round, ensuring safety and cleanliness needed to be a priority. Making certain the occupants would not loiter, but still allow privacy, was a needed feature of the Loo. The Loo has angled lower louvers that allow viewing of the floor but never expose more than the occupants feet. By coating the restroom in anti-graffiti powder coating, it is able to stay clean with little maintenance. A hand washing station was placed on the outside to encourage users to leave the restroom to wash, rather than continue to occupy it thus allowing more efficient use should a line were to form. On the restroom’s roof is a solar panel which charges batteries that power the lights. Since solar power alone won’t always be enough, there is also a fixed AC cable which ensures that the restroom will always function.

The Loo is made from heavy 304 stainless steel but is engineered to be light enough for easy transport to unique locations. It is large enough to be handicap accessible and hold a stroller or bike for the occupant. The First Loo was installed in downtown Portland at 5th St. and Glisan St. in 2008. The location was near the Portland Train Station and several night clubs to accommodate the volume of pedestrians that travel through the area.

The first Loo has been extremely successful. Six more have since been installed in downtown Portland. Most recently the City of Victoria, Canada purchased a Portland Loo and found great success with it. The Loos are maintained by the City and they have been described by the maintenance personnel as the simplest restroom to maintain. The Portland Loo has been welcomed by the city for its sleek design and efficiency but it is also a symbol for the unique culture that Portland attracts. While the Loo is headed toward long term success in the City of Portland, it has already been awarded “The Best Public Restroom in Canada” by the Cintas Corporation. The Loo beat out all other public restrooms in the third annual contest to take 1st place.