Back to the drawing board for public washrooms on Unionville in Markham

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 28, 2016
Amanda Persico  

What was envisioned as a public washroom in the midst of a mid-street piazza has morphed into two-washroom facility adjacent to the sidewalk — sending plans for a public washroom on Main Street Unionville back to the drawing board.

Since the city has spent a considerable amount of money on vision plans, design charrettes and feasibility studies for the street, business owners argued the city should “do it right.”

While the location — 185 Main St. Unionville — is set, proximity to the sidewalk and the number of washroom facilities pose a problem.

“This is a complicated street and complicated issue,” said Rob Kadlovski, chairperson of the historic Unionville community vision committee, who pushed for the city start construction next year.

Staff presented different options for a public washroom ranging between $432,000 for a standard building with heritage features to match the street to $594,000 for a prefabricated model with self-cleaning capabilities.

The current footprint allows for two universal, accessible washrooms separated by a utility room.

That is not enough and would create lineups along the sidewalk, said Tony Lamana, chairperson of the Unionville BIA.

“This is one of the busiest streets in York Region,” he said. “This would be a great embarrassment for one person who creates a lineup.”

Lamana urged councillors to host more public consultation meetings to ensure the right fit, even if that means delaying the project.

Another concern raised is the orientation, as proposed plans call for the washroom to open on to the sidewalk.

“Who in their right mind would put a washroom so prominently on the sidewalk so you can see people going in and out,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti said.

According to city staff, putting the washroom further back from the sidewalk would add about $75,000 to $100,000 to the project.

Staff were also directed to examine options where the city shares the cost of maintaining washrooms within existing businesses for public use as well as a user fee option on city-built and owned public washrooms and adding additional washrooms outside at Crosby arena.

A public information meeting is planned for later this winter.