AI summary
Summary of article:
New modular public toilets have officially opened in Brooklyn’s Milestone Park. As one of the city’s 17 pilot projects, they focus on water-free, low-cost and multilingual services. However, Chinese citizens hope that Chinese language regulations will be strengthened.
brooklyn A new modular public toilet in Milestone Park (Brooklyn) was officially opened on the 29th.Mandani (Zohran Mamdani) This is part of the government’s pilot project to install 17 public toilets in five major districts. City Councilor Alexa Aviles said that traditional park toilets cost millions of dollars to repair, and it is difficult for councilors to afford the capital allocation. New mobile public toilets are one option.Sugar People are happy to see the changes, but they hope that Chinese notices will be added to facilitate use for the elderly who are not proficient in English.
Run by Throne Labs, this public toilet is open free of charge from 7am to 10pm. every day and is equipped with barrier-free facilities, menstrual products, needle recycling bins and baby changing tables. If people log in for more than 10 minutes, lights will flash and a reminder will be broadcast. Users can scan the QR code, send a text message to (202) 751-3694 and reply with the bathroom number, use the Throne Bathroom Network app, or visit the New Yu Zuo Library to receive a physical card for entry. The physical card can be used in Thron public toilets throughout the city and is linked to a unique number. If you frequently smoke inside, the card may become inoperative.
Aviles reported that the restoration of the original toilets in the park alone would cost 8 million yuan. The starting price for repairing toilets in city parks is 5 million yuan, and the capital funds available to council members are about 5 million yuan each year. “If it is used to repair toilets, it means no money for schools or other projects.” He said Thron public toilets do not require any capital expenditure, water connection and can be shifted according to the season. For example, he said there are only three restrooms at Sunset Park and only one of the six courses at Red Hook has public restrooms. If the test is successful, she already has 10 locations where she would like to install them, but will still try to renovate existing facilities.
Throne co-founder and COO Jessica Heinzelman said people can rate the cleanliness as soon as they enter, and the background algorithm will immediately dispatch personnel to clean it, on average every 11 to 15 times; The public toilet was used 178 times in the previous day. Public restrooms are equipped with 21 types of sensors, but there is no emergency button because calling 911 directly is faster and the door will open in 10 minutes. Rescue workers can also ask the company to open the door remotely. He said the company is working with disability groups to discuss extending access times for people with mobility impairments.
Public toilets also have QR codes that provide translation into the city’s top 15 languages, including traditional and simplified Chinese, and Chinese signs were also added outside. Chen Weiyi, president of Homecrest Community Services, said many elderly people go out less because they are worried about finding a toilet. The center is producing Chinese teaching videos and conducting training.
Ms. Zhong, a member of the public, said that previously, there were no toilets available in the park, and people often defecated in the open, causing foul smell. The new toilets made it more convenient for them to visit the park. However, he hoped there would be Chinese-speaking staff on the site to guide people, or more readable Chinese announcements would be posted.
Summary FAQ
-
Since the cost of repairing traditional park toilets is millions of dollars, it is difficult for Members of Parliament to afford the capital allocation; Modular public toilets can eliminate the need for water connections, have low costs, and can be moved and deployed according to weather and needs.
-
Public toilets are open free of charge from 7:00 to 22:00 daily, and are barrier-free, equipped with menstrual products, needle recycling boxes and baby tables; If the toilet is more than 10 minutes away a reminder will be issued, and access can be recorded with a QR code, SMS, app or physical card.
-
They generally welcome the fact that public toilets are finally available, and believe it can reduce the inconvenience of open defecation and going out; But they also hope that clear Chinese notices, Chinese-speaking personnel guidance and teaching will be added to facilitate use for the elderly.
