Pershing Square APT Activated?
Don Garza
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I have a report this morning that the Pershing Square Automated Public Toilet is now open for business.
Walking home from the gym, I witnessed history in the making. With the help of a serviceman, a man deposited a quarter in the Public Toilet and the door magically opened! I didn't stick around to interview the man afterward, but it was epic, nonetheless.
I haven't been over to check it out, but it makes sense given recent reports of the electrical operating. Using my not-quite-official count, in the end it was a puny 205 days from installation to activation.
Thanks to Bert for the report.
Update (4pm): Don Garza posts some great shots of the APT in use, including the one used above.
Douglas E. Welch on May 17, 2007, at 03:12PM – #1
It looks as if we are getting an APT here in the Van Nuys Civic Center, too. I hope it doesn't take as long to get operating as Pershing Square.
D
Don Garza on May 17, 2007, at 03:50PM – #2
The history of the toilets is that CD 9 was going to get all of the first ones that came along , the other council districts did not want them, but after the APT in North Hollywood was operating , both the one in North Hollywood and Skid Row were put in place at the same time , there was a big story on the local news channel in which the business people were saying that they had an increase in foot traffic because of the APT in NOrth Hollywood , thus , now we aren't going to get all of the toilets , they are getting shared.
When once they didn't want them in their districts now they are fighting over them. BUt it isn't a matter of fighting. For every 500,000 dollars in ad revenue from the public furniture ads, we get one toilet.
hsosa on May 17, 2007, at 10:48PM – #3
HOORAY!! This morning. I saw a service truck pull up to the apt. the newspaper guy said it looks like its going to be turned on today. damm should had my camera.
SC_00_05 on May 17, 2007, at 11:31PM – #4
I'm thinking that if you never brought this out in the light (and hence the LA Times), this thing would not even be close to operating. Congrats.
Derick on May 18, 2007, at 12:46AM – #5
I'm glad that this toilet watch story is finally getting flushed...
Don Garza on May 18, 2007, at 12:59AM – #6
NO , it would have been operating even if the LA Times article hadn't come out. This has been news for a couple of years now.
Congratulations to Council District 9 for getting these toilets through City Council , that was the hardest part.
kenarch on May 21, 2007, at 07:06PM – #7
Does that graphic in your photo actually say "Occupied - Please Insert Unit"????
That's what it looks like it says - someone at the DWP or the LAPWD or whomever made that call has a sense of humor at least!
kenarch on May 21, 2007, at 07:08PM – #8
OK, it says "Occupied Please Unit" ... maybe it is suposed to say "Wait". Hmmm.
Don on May 21, 2007, at 08:19PM – #9
click to make the photo large , it does say wait.
whatever goo is in front of it is blocking the letters