Mayoral hopefuls flush Santa Fe Loo proposal

Mayoral candidates, asked about the dearth of public restrooms in the Plaza area, were unanimous in their dissatisfaction with a recent proposal to establish a single-seat Santa Fe Loo, at an estimated cost of $130,000, on the corner of Sheridan Street and West Palace Avenue.

Peter Ives called for better “wayfinding” for downtown visitors and said the proposed site was incongruous: “The loo kind of sticks out.”

Joseph Maestas said the issue had been too long unaddressed: “I propose modifying the design of our downtown transit center on Sheridan to add restrooms. It’s not too late.”

Kate Noble suggested the Loo site was proposed because portable restrooms are set up there during busy summer events and said there could be a better spot: “We need a map or an app that makes it easy for people to find a nearby bathroom.”

Ron Trujillo recalled there was meant to be a memorandum of understanding between the city and the New Mexico History Museum to ensure public access to the museum’s restrooms: “What happened? I come to find out, there’s no MOU. Well, that’s what we need to do — have that discussion with the state.”

Alan Webber, describing the longtime lack of downtown restrooms as indicative of the need for new leadership at City Hall, said: “I’m not sure we need a $130,000 one-stall bathroom. I think we can get more for our money and do it with more sensitivity to downtown Santa Fe.”